The Minnesota Vikings have officially committed to J.J. McCarthy as their starting quarterback for the upcoming season, opting not to pursue Aaron Rodgers, according to a source familiar with the decision. The source spoke to The Associated Press under anonymity, as the team has yet to make a public statement.
Rodgers, a four-time NFL MVP, became a free agent last week after being released by the New York Jets. With Pro Bowl quarterback Sam Darnold signing with the Seattle Seahawks in free agency following his breakout season, the Vikings have chosen to place their confidence in McCarthy. The young quarterback, selected 10th overall in the 2024 draft, spent his rookie year recovering from surgery to repair a torn meniscus in his right knee. Despite receiving trade inquiries from other teams regarding McCarthy, the Vikings declined any offers, the source said.
Reports suggested that Rodgers was open to joining Minnesota, a former division rival from his time with the Green Bay Packers. The Vikings leadership carefully evaluated the possibility of adding the veteran quarterback, weighing the potential impact on a locker room that helped propel them to a 14-win season last year.
One significant factor in the decision was financial flexibility. With McCarthy still on his rookie contract, the Vikings were able to invest heavily in strengthening both their offensive and defensive lines during free agency. However, the team still needs to add a veteran quarterback to back up McCarthy and provide stability in case of injury, a role originally intended for Darnold.
Minnesota had hoped to sign former New York Giants starter Daniel Jones, but he chose the Indianapolis Colts for a better opportunity to compete for the starting job. Additionally, Nick Mullens, who had served as the Vikings’ primary backup for the past three seasons, joined the Jacksonville Jaguars. As of now, the only other quarterback on the Vikings’ roster is Brett Rypien, a six-year veteran with four career starts.
Several experienced quarterbacks remain available, including Joe Flacco and Ryan Tannehill. The Vikings could also explore trade options or wait until later in the offseason when teams adjust their rosters after the draft. Another possibility is monitoring training camp developments, as injuries and performance evaluations could shift depth charts across the league.
While Minnesota has decided against pursuing Rodgers at this time, the team has not entirely ruled out revisiting the idea—especially if McCarthy encounters any setbacks before the season begins. Meanwhile, the Pittsburgh Steelers appear to be the most likely destination for Rodgers, given their current quarterback situation following the departures of Russell Wilson and Justin Fields. However, if Rodgers takes his time deciding whether to play a 21st NFL season, the Steelers may opt for a more immediate solution.
For now, the Vikings remain confident in McCarthy and his recovery. General manager Kwesi Adofo-Mensah expressed his enthusiasm for McCarthy’s development, stating last month at the NFL scouting combine that the young quarterback has demonstrated everything the team hoped for.
“You want to be able to go out there and play free and let his talent take over, so all these steps, all the learning he’s done this past year is going to allow him to be able to do that,” Adofo-Mensah said. “We’re excited about the makeup of him. He’s been everything we want him to be, and we’re excited about his future.”
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