An preliminary report claiming the Vikings aren’t “pursuing” quarterback Aaron Rodgers proved deceptive. Minnesota may verify again in with Rodgers relying on how 2024 first-round draft choose J.J. McCarthy seems to be throughout springtime exercises coming off the full meniscus restore that price him his rookie season.
In a bit printed Friday morning, Vikings insider Alec Lewis of The Athletic expanded on why head coach Kevin O’Connell and the Vikings regime have but to utterly rule out probably signing Rodgers earlier than coaching camp practices get underway.
“O’Connell and Rodgers have identified one another for over a decade,” Lewis defined. “Each performed quarterback in faculty on the West Coast within the early 2000s. They met and have stayed related through the years. As soon as O’Connell realized of Rodgers’ curiosity, executives and coaches evaluated Rodgers’ movie from the 2024 season late into the evening. …Many inside the constructing supported the concept of including Rodgers, considering he may nonetheless function at a excessive stage, particularly within the pocket. Some noticed a roster constructed to win for 2025 and McCarthy, a second-year participant rising from a knee harm with just one preseason sport beneath his belt, as a less-than-certain possibility.”
All through March, quite a few stories have indicated the New York Giants and Pittsburgh Steelers are able to signal Rodgers as quickly as potential. Nevertheless, he seemingly is keen to attend to be taught if a Vikings group that went 14-3 in 2024 earlier than Sam Darnold endured a pair of nightmare outings will determine that the long run Corridor of Famer is a greater possibility for the 2025 marketing campaign than the unproven McCarthy.
“The Vikings are in search of an enormous spring and summer season from McCarthy,” Lewis added. “Offseason exercises start April 7, and he can have the chance to point out the Vikings what they hope to see. His bodily situation issues. His command of O’Connell’s offense is vital, too. …Till Rodgers indicators with a group or retires, the prospect of him in Minnesota can’t be dominated out. McCarthy may undergo a setback along with his knee, or the Vikings may come to the conclusion that he wants extra improvement time.”
As a lot as O’Connell and Co. could consider McCarthy will ultimately be able to guiding the membership to a Tremendous Bowl, the Vikings are a win-now group with veteran gamers who could view Rodgers because the group’s most suitable choice for 2025 assuming he absolutely recovers from the quite a few bodily setbacks he handled throughout what grew to become his closing season with the New York Jets.
Briefly, these considering the Vikings are “out” on Rodgers are mistaken. There is no purpose for Minnesota to hurry a closing QB1 choice for subsequent season, as significant practices are nonetheless months down the street.
