The Pittsburgh Steelers and New York Giants are in hot pursuit of veteran quarterback Aaron Rodgers, but there has been a hold-up with his decision, and by all accounts the hold-up has been Rodgers waiting on the Minnesota Vikings.
The Vikings lost Sam Darnold earlier this offseason and might be looking to add a veteran quarterback to take the reins of a team that went 14-3 last season and has Super Bowl aspirations instead of going with a wild card in J.J. McCarthy.
However according to NFL Network’s Tom Pelissero, teams that have called about a trade for McCarthy have been told that he won’t be moved and that Minnesota plans to “move forward with him” as their starter.
Furthermore, Pelissero adds that the Vikings are not pursuing Rodgers at this time.
“The Vikings have rejected multiple trade calls on J.J. McCarthy, telling other teams they’re moving forward with him as their quarterback, sources say,” Pelissero wrote on Wednesday. “The team plans to add a veteran. But they’re not pursuing Aaron Rodgers at this time. McCarthy now enters the offseason as QB1.”
The #Vikings have rejected multiple trade calls on J.J. McCarthy, telling other teams they’re moving forward with him as their quarterback, sources say.
The team plans to add a veteran. But they’re not pursuing Aaron Rodgers at this time. McCarthy now enters the offseason as… pic.twitter.com/oPf6DIvQpj
— Tom Pelissero (@TomPelissero) March 19, 2025
It’s easy to see why Rodgers prefers the Vikings over the Steelers and Giants. After all, they give him the best chance to win thanks to having an elite defense and an offense that is filled with weapons.
However, with the Vikings apparently out of the mix, Rodgers’ next best choice is the Steelers, who went 10-7 and made the playoffs last season. Pittsburgh can offer Rodgers two young, talented receivers to throw to and we know the defense will be good. And Pittsburgh offers much more stability, seeing as how Giants head coach Brian Daboll and general manager Joe Schoen are on the hot seat.
When it’s all said and done, we expect Rodgers to be playing in Pittsburgh in 2025, assuming he doesn’t retire.
