The franchise's future has been decided at quarterback in Minnesota, but does that hold enough weight to win a Super Bowl in the 2025 season?
After much speculation surrounding whether Sam Darnold would return to the Vikings in free agency, he took another route to the Pacific Northwest with the Seattle Seahawks. That left the question of whether 2024 first-round pick J.J. McCarthy was ready to take the keys of the franchise after his season-ending injury.
This offseason, a future Hall of Famer was discussed at length that Vikings fans shouldn't forget, and both sides might feel the same way.
Former New York Jets quarterback Aaron Rodgers © Ed Mulholland-Imagn Images © Ed Mulholland-Imagn Images
CBS Sports writer Cody Benjamin shared which rumors about NFL fans should buy or sell. Former Jets quarterback Aaron Rodgers' interest in the Vikings should be considered a buy, and Minnesota's interest in Rodgers should also be considered.
"The Vikings, of course, are in the awkward position of desiring both instant stability and a longer-term commitment to their first-round investment of J.J. McCarthy, so it's understandable they're hesitant to go all in for an aging, big-name rental. Yet the fact they've continually left the door open for additional Rodgers talks, and that Rodgers continues to putz around clear interest from the Pittsburgh Steelers, suggests that deep down, there's a mutual attraction here. Will it lead to a real partnership? Maybe. Maybe not. But everyone can dream."
Rodgers struggled last season with the Jets, with a career-low passer rating of 90.5 and the second-lowest QBR of his career, 48. He still managed to pass for 3,897 yards and 28 touchdowns to 11 interceptions in 17 games.
Minnesota has had good luck bringing in former Jets and Packers quarterbacks after Brett Favre led the team to the NFC Championship game in 2009. History could repeat itself this season.
It's not out of the realm of possibility for Rodgers to be in a purple Vikings uniform until the opening kickoff of the season.
Related: J.J. McCarthy's 4 Words on Vikings QB Dilemma Turn Heads
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This story was originally published March 30, 2025 at 4:00 PM.