The Minnesota Vikings are on the hunt for a veteran quarterback to give young J.J. McCarthy some healthy competition as he heads into his third NFL season. It's a move that could shake things up in the quarterback room and potentially elevate the team's performance.
In a recent twist, Vikings running back Aaron Jones has been vocal about wanting his former Packers teammate, Aaron Rodgers, to make the move to Minnesota for the 2026 season. During an appearance on "Nightcap" during Super Bowl week, Jones didn't hold back his admiration for Rodgers.
“I like him in Minnesota," Jones declared. "That's my dog.
What he brings to a locker room, that leadership, it's a standard. If you ain't in your playbook, oh, you ain't seeing the field-he's going to test you."
Jones highlighted Rodgers' knack for challenging teammates, pushing them to dive deep into their playbooks. “He's going to throw some signals out there, and he’s going to see if you really care about it.
As a player, I love that because I'm in my books. I'm making an effort.
Like, I came from Utah from nothing. Like, so I had to earn that.
And when you do it the right way, and it's noticed, it's refreshing.”
However, Rodgers' future remains uncertain. He has yet to make a call on his plans for 2026.
The veteran quarterback could opt to re-sign with the Pittsburgh Steelers, where he found success under head coach Mike McCarthy, a partnership that dates back to their Super Bowl XLV victory with the Packers. Alternatively, Rodgers might decide it's time to hang up his cleats for good.
Adding to the speculation, Aditi Kinkhabwala shared insights on 93.7 The Fan, suggesting that Rodgers is leaning more towards retirement than returning to the field. “Having spoken to people who were around him, who have been around him, most everyone that I’ve spoken to who has been around him feels that the chance that he comes back to play is minuscule,” Kinkhabwala reported.
Rodgers' potential retirement would cap off a remarkable career, highlighted by his recent achievements with the Steelers. The 42-year-old led Pittsburgh to an AFC North title, throwing for 3,322 yards, 24 touchdowns, and seven interceptions. If he does choose to retire, he leaves the game on a high note, having made a significant impact in his final season.