Could Aaron Rodgers Be the Answer for Both the Steelers and Vikings?
As the quarterback carousel starts spinning again this offseason, two franchises with a glaring need under center - the Pittsburgh Steelers and Minnesota Vikings - could find themselves eyeing the same veteran solution: Aaron Rodgers.
Rodgers, who started for the Steelers last season, remains very much in play for Pittsburgh. And with Mike McCarthy now at the helm, the connection between coach and quarterback is impossible to ignore. McCarthy, of course, coached Rodgers for years in Green Bay, and he’s not hiding the fact that he’d love to run it back.
“I mean definitely. I don't see why you wouldn't,” McCarthy said when asked about bringing Rodgers back. “I have spoken to Aaron, and so that's really where we are there, but I was able to sit back and watch the games and watch most of the Pittsburgh games on TV and I thought he was a great asset for the team.”
That’s a pretty clear endorsement. But this is Aaron Rodgers we’re talking about - a quarterback who’s never been shy about doing things on his own terms. As of now, he’s got three doors in front of him: retirement, a return to Pittsburgh, or a fresh start elsewhere.
And that “elsewhere” might just be Minnesota.
According to Pro Football Talk’s Mike Florio, the Vikings were seriously considering a veteran quarterback last offseason to pair with J.J. McCarthy.
Kevin O’Connell, Minnesota’s head coach, reportedly pushed hard for a proven presence in the QB room - someone who could start if needed, but also serve as a mentor to McCarthy. Rodgers was among the names discussed, alongside the likes of Sam Darnold and Daniel Jones.
“I’ll just say I believe that last year Kevin O’Connell was banging hard on the table to have an accomplished veteran to go along with JJ McCarthy,” Florio said during an appearance on 93.7 The Fan. “Recognizing that McCarthy wasn’t ready to go out there and be the guy and they needed someone else... Rodgers is available.”
There were conflicting reports at the time suggesting Minnesota passed on Rodgers out of concern that McCarthy might pick up some of his infamous freelancing habits. But with O’Connell now wielding more influence following the departure of former GM Kwesi Adofo-Mensah, the calculus might be changing.
And let’s be real - the Vikings’ 2025 season didn’t exactly inspire confidence in McCarthy’s long-term readiness. He was inconsistent, at times overwhelmed, and ultimately a major reason Minnesota fell short of the postseason.
That’s not to say he’s a bust, but it does underscore the need for a steady hand behind center. A veteran like Rodgers wouldn’t just be insurance - he’d be a lifeline.
Of course, bringing in Rodgers would be a massive statement. It would almost certainly mean McCarthy is sidelined for at least a year, and possibly longer.
That’s a tough pill to swallow for a team that invested heavily in a young quarterback. But if the Vikings believe they’re built to win now - and with Justin Jefferson and Jordan Addison leading a dynamic receiving corps, they just might be - then this is the kind of bold move that could put them over the top.
From Pittsburgh’s perspective, this potential Vikings interest is a real threat. The Steelers want Rodgers back, but they’re not the only team with a need - and Minnesota arguably offers a more complete roster, especially on offense. If Rodgers is looking for the best shot at one more deep playoff run, the Vikings might hold the edge.
It’s still early in the offseason, and Rodgers hasn’t tipped his hand. But if both Minnesota and Pittsburgh come calling, the decision could come down to more than just familiarity. It could come down to which team gives him the best chance to win - right now.
And that’s where things get interesting.