The Minnesota Vikings are coming off a seriously impressive, albeit shocking, regular season. Despite drafting a potential franchise quarterback last April though, they still have all sorts of questions to answer at the position ten months later.
It remains to be seen what happens with Sam Darnold between now and the franchise tag deadline on March 4. All we know is that both the Vikings and J.J. McCarthy have made it clear he will be ready, not just by training camp, but for organized team activities earlier in the summer too.
But no matter how healthy JJ is, the Minnesota Vikings have made it clear that — whether it be Sam Darnold, Daniel Jones or another veteran QB — the plan is to bring in a starting-caliber veteran to push their redshirt rookie quarterback. Enter Aaron Rodgers…
Aaron Rodgers can’t be ruled out for Minnesota Vikings
Many think this is impossible, but if Rodgers weren’t such a controversial figure, the fit really does make sense. The Vikings have all the offensive pieces to support Rodgers, including the best WR in football and his best friend, Aaron Jones, who Minnesota appears to be negotiating an extension with.
Rodgers wants to go out on top and there aren’t a lot of fits around the league that make more sense on paper than the Minnesota Vikings, should they want to sit JJ McCarthy for one more season. Associated Press Jets beat writer Dennis Waszak agrees, naming the Vikings as a fit that makes sense for Rodgers next season.
“Could Rodgers take the same path Brett Favre did when he left Green Bay, played for the Jets and then went to Minnesota? Well, Sam Darnold could be a free agent after having a career year while leading the Vikings to the playoffs — although he could get the franchise tag. Jones is still there after leaving the Giants and so is J.J. McCarthy, who missed his entire rookie season with a knee injury. But Rodgers could step into a high-powered offense that includes Justin Jefferson, Jordan Addison, T.J. Hockenson and running back Aaron Jones, his former Packers teammate.”
Dennis Waszak on Rodgers joining the Vikings (Associated Press)
There are two different veteran QB types that the Vikings could target this offseason. They could look for a quarterback who’s proven that he can be a starter, but is probably better off (for now) as a backup.
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Not only would these starter/backup tweeners — like Daniel Jones and Jimmy Garoppolo — be legitimate camp competition for McCarthy, but they’d make for high-end backups if the Michigan man can beat them out.
Then, there are options like Matthew Stafford and Aaron Rodgers, who would come in as cinch starters, meaning McCarthy would be in for a second redshirt season.
What if…
Admittedly, Aaron Rodgers following in the exact footsteps of Brett Favre (from GB to NYJ to MIN) would be among the funniest storylines in NFL history. For the Vikings though, Kevin O’Connell would have to be 100% confident that Rodgers’ juice would be worth the squeeze. Even for KOC, I’m not sure that is the case.
Minnesota would immediately be front-and-center on Pat McAfee’s show, and the circus that comes with Rodgers would certainly come to town. If he can be the difference that brings the team to a Super Bowl though, who cares?
AARON RODGERS 500 TDs 🚨
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Last season, in an ugly year with the New York Jets, Aaron Rodgers threw for 3,897 yards with 28 touchdowns and 11 interceptions. He had virtually no offensive weapons until Davante Adams joined the team, and now he’s on his way out.
The former Green Bay Packers quarterback won a pair of MVP awards in two of the final three years he spent playing at Lambeau. The latest was just three seasons ago. Of course he has blown out his achilles since then, and he’s now on the wrong side of 40 years old.
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Like Favre before him, any pact with Rodgers would represent a belief that a hired gun is the difference maker for Minnesota. Rodgers has never had the offensive weapons around him that the Vikings could provide. Even the most staunch cheese graters probably put up with his antics if it results in a ring.
We are now less than a month from the March 12 kickoff of NFL free agency. Given the Vikings cap situation, and roster uncertainty, it is sure to be a frenzy.