Sauce Gardner, Aaron Rodgers : Preseason-Tampa Bay Buccaneers at New York Jets
Credit: Vincent Carchietta-Imagn Images
It’s all but official now. Barring a photo releasing of Sam Darnold using a gas mask for nefarious (not) purposes between now and 11 a.m. CDT Monday morning, when the NFL free agent negotiating window opens, the 2024 Pro Bowler will be too expensive for the Minnesota Vikings to bring back in 2025.
According to reports, the Vikings No. 1 option tomorrow is Daniel Jones, who’s been hanging out at TCO Performance Center for the past few months. The 27-year-old 2019 No 6 overall pick signed with the Vikings after being waived by the Giants midway through last season. He’ll become an unrestricted free agent again on March 12.
If Daniel Jones chooses the MN Vikings, there will be a lot less anxiety flooding through the fanbase late Monday morning, when the negotiating period heats up. If the don’t land Jones, however, then the Vikings are reportedly considering a shift in focus to 41-year-old future Hall of Fame QB Aaron Rodgers.
Last night appears to have been the start of some QB chaos. If Daniel Jones doesn’t remain with the #Vikings, that will make it even more chaotic, as Aaron Rodgers could be in play in Minnesota, which would then force the #Giants to turn to Plan C…
Lots to play out next week. https://t.co/TcyMTvVd9I
— Mike Garafolo (@MikeGarafolo) March 8, 2025
Rodgers wants to run it back for one more season, after injury and organizational incompetence foiled his two-year comeback tour with the New York Jets. Without a doubt, the Minnesota Vikings offer the best opportunity for a plug-and-play final hoorah season for an aging all-time great’s last stand.
Sauce Gardner believes Aaron Rodgers would return to glory with Minnesota Vikings
Do you doubt what Rodgers has left in the tank? Well, on of Rodgers’ former teammates in New York, Sauce Gardner — who happens to be one of the best cornerbacks in all of football — still believes. On Sunday, the 24-year-old 2X All-Pro CB tweeted that “if Aaron goes to the MN Vikings, he might be #1 in all QB stats” with a crying emoji…
if Aaron goes to the Vikings, he might be #1 in all QB stats😭 https://t.co/2zuNJr885K
— SAUCE GARDNER (@iamSauceGardner) March 9, 2025
In his second and final season with the Jets, Aaron Rodgers threw for 3,897 yards, 28 touchdowns and 11 interceptions, following an achilles tear he suffered and had surgically repaired one year prior. While he posted the worst completion rate of his career, the 4X AP MVP proved he still has some magic left.
With Kevin O’Connell calling and drawing up plays — combined with one of the best offensive weapons arsenals in the league, including Justin Jefferson, Jordan Addison and TJ Hockenson — you can see where Gardner’s logic is based.
Pros and Cons to signing Rodgers
If you are of the belief that Aaron Rodgers still has gas left in his QB tank, then landing in purple has to be the dream offseason landing spot. There really is no other team that has more to offer their former arch-rival, from a talent and organizational structure standpoint. Imagine what he and Justin Jefferson could do together, if he is right…
Over 7 minutes of Aaron Rodgers ➡ Garrett Wilson 2024 #Jets highlights 🎯🎶 pic.twitter.com/ruATwX660l
— Harrison Glaser (@NYJetsTFMedia) January 29, 2025
But of course, there is a lot to take into account when considering Rodgers. Obviously, the distraction factor that comes with signing Aaron Rodgers in 2025 is unmatched. Even if we assume O’Connell is willing to take that part of A-Rodg on, it’s still worth wondering whether or not the Minnesota Vikings would want to block future franchise QB JJ McCarthy from the field.
Let’s be real, Rodgers isn’t signing here to be a backup. If the Vikings really do sign the 4X All-Pro, then McCarthy will be immediately designated as the 2025 backup, a role he would keep all season, unless things went horribly wrong.
Related: Former Vikings QB Feuding with New Team Yet Again…
Would KOC rather bring in a less controversial veteran QB who, not only brings less drama, but who also allows an easier path to playing time for a redshirt rookie the Minnesota Vikings head coach and development staff has already sunk so much time and effort into developing?
Mentioned in this article: Aaron Rodgers Daniel Jones Sauce Gardner More About:Minnesota Vikings News