The Minnesota Vikings were mentioned as potential landing spot for Aaron Rodgers last offseason when he was deciding what the next step of his career was due to Rodgers’ longstanding relationship with Vikings head coach Kevin O’Connell.
Ultimately, Rodgers ended up signing with the Pittsburgh Steelers, but there was some mutual interest when it came to Minnesota.
Vikings listed as best landing spot for Aaron Rodgers
Now here we are, a year later, and Rodgers’ future has again come into question. Will he retire? Will he return to Pittsburgh for another season? Or, perhaps there’s a third option.
Kristopher Knox of Bleacher Report recently listed the Vikings as the top landing spot for Rodgers over the offseason, citing his relationship with O’Connell and an opportunity for third-year QB J.J. McCarthy to learn behind a legend for a season.
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“If O’Connell wants McCarthy to sit and learn in 2026, Minnesota would be an ideal spot for Rodgers,” Knox wrote. “He’d be a terrific fit for the offense, and would have several great receivers at his disposal. He’d also have a shot to push the Vikings back in contention and possible end his career with a playoff win. … Minnesota would clearly provide him with a good situation.”
It remains to be seen if Rodgers even wants to play again in 2026. At 42, he could certainly decide to call it a career this offseason.
But, if he does want to return, he could make sense as a one-year bridge quarterback in Minnesota if the Vikings aren’t sold on starting McCarthy in 2026. McCarthy had a pretty rough go of it in 2025, and his status as the team’s long-term solution at quarterback appears to be up in the air.
Mike Tomlin’s departure from Pittsburgh makes Rodgers returning to the Steelers feel less likely, which could open the door for Minnesota. If the Vikings think that Rodgers would give them a better chance of competing next season, perhaps they make the move.
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