Minnesota Vikings make bold decision on Aaron Rodgers

The Minnesota Vikings have reportedly made a key decision on the future of Aaron Rodgers as the four-time NFL MVP weighs up his options in free agency.

Sources told ESPN that the Vikings are content to stick with J. J. McCarthy as the starting quarterback after the departure of 2024 starter Sam Darnold to the Seattle Seahawks. With Darnold gone there was some doubt as to whether second-year McCarthy could be relied upon for 2025, particularly given that he only recently returned from surgery on a torn meniscus last August.

With McCarthy yet to play a single NFL snap, veteran superstar Rodgers had been considered as a short-term option. However reports that McCarthy will be the Vikings' starter decrease the chances of a move for Rodgers, whose salary would demands would almost certainly be too high for a non-starter.

Aside from these latest reports, the Vikings did look to be putting their faith in McCarthy. They opted against using the franchise tag on Darnold and have already committed more than $300 million to players this month, the highest in the league.

Head coach Kevin O’Connell certainly seems all-in on McCarthy, who he described as the “franchise quarterback” last August. O’Connell said of the injury: “This is going to be a small bump in the road. Other quarterbacks in our league have gone through similar things early on in their journey and came back stronger and better than ever, and I know that is going to happen for J.J.”

But having lost Darnold and Jones, and with Rodgers looking extremely unlikely, the Vikings still need to strength their QB depth. Given McCarthy’s inexperience a veteran backup looks like the best option and there are a few candidates that stands out.

Former Super Bowl MVP Joe Flacco is currently a free agent having left the Indianapolis Colts at the end of 2024, while Carson Wentz would also provide some much-needed experience around the group. However the more emotional choice would be a return for former star Kirk Cousins, who now finds himself as a backup with the Atlanta Falcons.

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