At the start of free agency, the Minnesota Vikings appeared to be a realistic landing spot for free agent quarterback Aaron Rodgers. But the team’s interest seems to have cooled off in recent weeks.
Why have the Vikings cooled on the four-time NFL MVP? The answer to that question is JJ McCarthy, ESPN‘s Dan Graziano said on Wednesday’s “Get Up.” Minnesota is “full steam ahead” with McCarthy, Graziano added.
“JJ McCarthy is the Vikings’ guy at quarterback. I mean, the dalliance with Rodgers, I guess, could resurface. But I think, based on everything I heard, it would take something drastic happening with JJ McCarthy, something like another significant injury,” Graziano said. “They are full steam ahead with him. They believe that what they need to do this offseason is put the pieces around him to make him as successful as possible.
“So, if you’re thinking that Aaron Rodgers is on the way to save the Vikings, I wouldn’t get my hopes up on that one.”
Vikings committed to JJ McCarthy amid Aaron Rodgers interest
McCarthy, 22, was selected 10th overall in last year’s NFL Draft, but missed his entire rookie season with a right knee injury. McCarthy first tore his meniscus in his right knee during the first preseason game. He underwent a second surgery in November to address swelling in the knee that developed after an increase in activity during the rehabilitation process. McCarthy is on track to return for the 2025 season.
Vikings head coach Kevin O’Connell admitted the team had internal discussions about possibly signing Rodgers. McCarthy is their guy, however, and they have confidence in him.
“Aaron Rodgers is a four-time NFL MVP and somebody who, not just myself, but we’ve all had so much respect for competing against him,” O’Connell said Monday at the NFL Annual Meeting, via ESPN. “And he happened to be at a point in time in his career where he was free to have some real dialogue about what his future may look like. We happened to be one of those teams that he reached out to. And I have had a personal relationship with him going back since my playing days.
“… But I do feel very strongly about where [McCarthy is] at right now. And based upon the information we have from the evaluation process, the time we had with him, I feel very good about projecting a really positive year for J.J. And now we’ve got to go to work and do it.”
Steelers owner Art Rooney reveals latest on pursuit of Aaron Rodgers
Where does this leave Rodgers? Enter the Pittsburgh Steelers, who are waiting on Rodgers to make a decision. The signs are there. Rodgers visited the Steelers’ facility on March 21 but left without a deal. Monday, photographer Alex Amen obtained footage of Rodgers throwing passes to recently acquired Steelers wideout DK Metcalf at UCLA‘s campus.
Pittsburgh has been chasing Rodgers for weeks. Team owner Art Rooney II believes “all signs are positive” that the 41-year-old will eventually sign.
“We keep hearing that he’s, I guess, headed in our direction, and so that seems to be all signs are positive so far,” Rooney said Tuesday, via Brooke Pryor of ESPN.
The Steelers are waiting for Rodgers to make a decision. Rooney didn’t envision it would take this long. He’s willing to wait longer, but there’s an expiration date.
“Not forever,” said Rooney, when asked if he’s content to wait on Rodgers. “But a little while longer.”
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