Aaron Rodgers has never been a stranger to headlines, but the past few seasons have been a rollercoaster even by his standards. After a turbulent stint with the New York Jets that fell well short of expectations, it looked like the sun might finally be setting on the four-time MVP’s storied career.
Two frustrating years in New York ended with head coach Aaron Glenn telling Rodgers his time in green and white was over. For many, that seemed like the final chapter.
But Rodgers wasn’t done writing his story just yet.
In a surprising twist, he landed in Pittsburgh and promptly reminded the league why he’s still one of the most gifted quarterbacks to ever lace them up. In his first season with the Steelers, Rodgers led the team to an AFC North title-a feat that not only silenced doubters but also reignited the conversation around his legacy. It was a comeback campaign that showed he could still make magic happen, even in a new city and system.
But just as quickly as the Rodgers-Steelers era began, it now appears to be over.
According to NFL Network’s Ian Rapoport, Rodgers won’t be returning to Pittsburgh next season. The news comes on the heels of longtime head coach Mike Tomlin stepping down after 19 seasons with the franchise. That seismic shift in leadership appears to have prompted Rodgers to consider his next move-though retirement isn’t necessarily on the table just yet.
Rodgers himself hinted at the uncertainty during Wild Card weekend, where the Steelers’ season ended with a tough 30-6 loss to the Houston Texans. At 42 and playing on a one-year deal, Rodgers acknowledged the crossroads ahead.
“I’m 42, and I’m on a 1-year deal. You know what the situation is.
Whenever the season ends, I’ll be a free agent,” Rodgers said. “That’ll give me a lot of options if I still want to play - not a lot of options, but … I would think maybe 1 or 2 if I decide I still want to play.”
One of those options? A potential return to the NFC North-this time, in a purple jersey.
The Minnesota Vikings are firmly in the mix, and for good reason. Not only were they reportedly in the conversation before Rodgers signed with Pittsburgh, but they’re now openly in the market for a veteran quarterback.
After a disappointing 2025 campaign, Vikings head coach Kevin O’Connell made it clear that he wants someone to push young quarterback J.J. McCarthy.
“That’s what’s going to make everybody better in that room,” O’Connell said. “It’s going to be what makes our entire offense thrive through that competition. That should be how our entire organization looks at their individual roles when we compete against each other in the different aspects of the offseason.”
Translation: the door is open for a seasoned signal-caller to step in and raise the bar. And few quarterbacks know the NFC North-or how to win in it-better than Rodgers.
From a football standpoint, the fit makes sense. The Vikings have a roster that’s built to compete now.
With playmakers on both sides of the ball and a coaching staff hungry to take the next step, adding Rodgers could be the kind of short-term jolt that turns a playoff hopeful into a legitimate contender. It’s the kind of situation that might just appeal to a quarterback who’s chasing one last shot at a ring.
Naturally, the NFL community has already started buzzing at the possibility. One fan summed it up well: “Makes a ton of sense. He’s still got some left in the tank… it’s a year-by-year deal, which means no ‘is he the long-term answer’ talk even if he succeeds.”
Another added, “At this point, I would not be upset if he came to the Vikings.”
It’s far from a done deal, but the pieces are in place. Rodgers has options, the Vikings have a need, and the league is watching closely. Whether it’s one final run at glory or the beginning of a new chapter, one thing is clear: Aaron Rodgers isn’t finished yet.