The Minnesota Vikings are facing significant questions at the quarterback position this offseason. Speculation is swirling about the possibility of the Vikings pursuing New York Jets quarterback Aaron Rodgers, which would only add to the intrigue. With options like Sam Darnold, J.J. McCarthy, or Daniel Jones already in the mix, bringing in Rodgers could completely reshape the team’s plans moving forward. Rodgers’ uncertain future with the Jets has become a hot topic, especially following changes in New York’s head coaching and front office regimes this offseason.
Over the years, the Vikings have often been viewed as a potential landing spot for high-profile quarterbacks, and Rodgers is no exception. Despite being under contract with the Jets for another year, there are financial incentives for New York to part ways with him. By releasing Rodgers with a post-June 1 designation, the Jets could save $9.5 million. While such a split is not guaranteed, the incoming front office could make that decision to create a fresh start, as pointed out by Bleacher Report’s Kristopher Knox. Knox noted, “While this scenario is highly unlikely, following Brett Favre’s Green Bay-to-New-York-to-Minnesota path could be the best possible outcome for Rodgers.”
The parallels between Rodgers’ and Favre’s careers are hard to ignore. Like Favre, Rodgers spent the bulk of his career with the Green Bay Packers, winning one Super Bowl, before being traded to the Jets. Joining the Vikings, as Favre did in the twilight of his career, could offer Rodgers a chance to write a fitting final chapter. According to Knox, the Vikings could be the “best landing spot” for Rodgers, who still has moments where he looks like his old self.
In 2024, Rodgers completed 63% of his passes for 3,897 yards, 28 touchdowns, and 11 interceptions while playing in all 17 games—a notable achievement considering he tore his Achilles in Week 1 of the 2023 season. At 41 years old, if Rodgers decides to continue his NFL career, it will likely be with a contender that offers a chance at redemption after what many consider a disappointing stint with the Jets. “He won’t come back to lead another directionless franchise,” Knox added. “He’ll want to play for a contender, and there aren’t many that will consider employing him.”
The Vikings could emerge as a viable option, provided they part ways with Darnold and Jones while allowing McCarthy to develop for another year as a backup. With a strong supporting cast on offense, Minnesota could be an appealing destination for Rodgers. Additionally, the veteran quarterback has expressed a willingness to mentor a young player, which could benefit McCarthy’s growth.
Rodgers has a mixed record against the Vikings, going 15-8 as a starter during his time with the Packers. However, since leaving Green Bay, he has struggled against Minnesota, posting a 2-4 record, including a 23-17 loss during the 2024 regular season. Interestingly, his 2024 statistics closely mirror his final season in Green Bay, suggesting he still has the capability to perform at a high level.
Financially, the situation is complex. The Jets, who acquired Rodgers in a trade with the Packers in 2023, are in the final year of his three-year, $112.5 million contract. While trading Rodgers could save the Jets up to $9.5 million, the move would still come with significant dead cap charges, making a clean break challenging. Meanwhile, the Vikings are projected to have $57.9 million in cap space this offseason, per Over The Cap, giving them some flexibility to explore a potential deal.
Despite the potential fit, not everyone is convinced it’s a good idea for the Vikings to pursue Rodgers. Knox questioned whether Minnesota would benefit from having a young quarterback apprentice under someone as polarizing as Rodgers. “Is this a likely pairing? No. Should the Vikings want their young signal-caller apprenticing under one of the biggest distractions in football? Probably not,” he wrote. However, he also acknowledged that barring an unexpected scenario—such as Matthew Stafford retiring or the San Francisco 49ers parting ways with Brock Purdy—the Vikings might represent Rodgers’ best chance at making one last playoff run.
It’s worth noting that ESPN’s Dan Orlovsky believes it’s far from certain that the Jets will move on from Rodgers. The hiring of former Detroit Lions offensive coordinator Aaron Glenn as New York’s head coach could signal an attempt to build around Rodgers for one more season. Still, the parallels between Rodgers’ career trajectory and Favre’s make the possibility of him ending up in Minnesota an intriguing storyline.
Ultimately, the Vikings are likely to make their quarterback decision from a pool that includes Darnold, Jones, and McCarthy before considering an outside option like Rodgers. However, if Rodgers does become available, his potential fit in Minnesota—both as a mentor and a competitor—would be hard to ignore. Whether or not this move materializes, it’s clear that the Vikings’ quarterback situation will be one of the most closely watched storylines of the offseason.
BREAKING: Vikings Proposed ‘Best Landing Spot’ for Jets QB Aaron Rodgers….
