Did Aaron Rodgers nearly join Vikings over Steelers this offseason?

It's now no secret that individuals within the Minnesota Vikings, such as general manager Kwesi Adofo-Mensah and head coach Kevin O'Connell, discussed the possibility of signing quarterback Aaron Rodgers to have Rodgers start over 2024 first-round draft pick J.J. McCarthy for a season. 

Such a marriage never materialized, and Rodgers joined the Pittsburgh Steelers. 

During a Wednesday appearance on Columbus sports radio station 97.1 The Fan, ESPN NFL insider Adam Schefter addressed whether Rodgers was nearly Minnesota's QB1 heading into training camp. 

"Never got that close," Schefter said, per Troy Montgomery of Steelers Depot. "There is a lot of belief in that building [in McCarthy]. There were conversations with Rodgers. They never got overly serious. I think the interest was more on Aaron's side." 

Rodgers wanting to sign with the Vikings is understandable considering the club won 14 of 16 games last season before signal-caller Sam Darnold produced a pair of duds in what became his final two outings as a member of the organization. As for McCarthy, it remains to be seen what he will and/or won't be coming off the full meniscus repair that sidelined him for all of his rookie campaign. That said, Minnesota coaches and players have repeatedly made it known since the start of the offseason program that they are confident McCarthy will be ready to win big games come September. 

"He recognized the type of team the Vikings have, the type of coaches they have, the type of players, receivers they have, and I think that would've been appealing to him," Schefter added about Rodgers. "But the Vikings, they want somebody to complement J.J., to push J.J., and I think if you bring in Aaron, with all due respect, somebody like that is probably threatening to J.J., and that's not what you're trying to do." 

Rodgers revealed that he is "pretty sure" he will retire following the 2025 season. He's also already taken rookie and sixth-round draft pick Will Howard under his wing. 

Rodgers may have been an ideal mentor for McCarthy, but it sounds like the Vikings decided some time ago that they want the 22-year-old playing in their regular-season opener at the Chicago Bears on Sept. 8.