Aaron Rodgers’ Future in Question - But He’s Still Got Backers in the NFC North
Aaron Rodgers hasn’t made any official announcements yet, but the buzz surrounding his next move is heating up - and it’s coming from some familiar places.
On the surface, it might seem like just another offseason filled with quarterback speculation. But when Vikings star wide receiver Justin Jefferson repeatedly signals he wouldn’t mind a little competition for rookie J.J.
McCarthy, it raises eyebrows. Jefferson hasn’t outright campaigned for a change under center, but his comments this winter suggest he’s open to the idea of someone else - maybe even someone legendary - stepping in.
And then there’s Aaron Jones. The Vikings’ new running back spent six seasons alongside Rodgers in Green Bay, witnessing firsthand what the four-time MVP can do when he’s dialed in. During a recent appearance on the Nightcap program, Jones didn’t hold back when asked about the possibility of Rodgers landing in Minnesota.
“I like him in Minnesota,” Jones said, with a smile that said more than words ever could.
That may sound wild to Packers fans, but the idea isn’t as far-fetched as it once was. Rodgers has history with Vikings head coach Kevin O’Connell.
The two reportedly have a strong relationship, and Rodgers was even linked to Minnesota last offseason before ultimately signing with Pittsburgh. Now, with the Steelers in flux and O’Connell possibly gaining more influence following the surprise dismissal of GM Kwesi Adofo-Mensah, the door could be opening again.
Over in Pittsburgh, new head coach Mike McCarthy - who coached Rodgers in Green Bay from 2006 through part of 2018 - is hoping to run it back with his old QB. But the 42-year-old Rodgers hasn’t committed to anything yet, and the Steelers reportedly want clarity by early March. That’s when teams start gearing up for free agency, trades, and the draft, and Pittsburgh needs to know if they’re building around Rodgers or moving on.
So where does Rodgers stand physically? Mentally?
Jones, for one, thinks his former teammate still has plenty left in the tank.
“You see him out there, he looks like he’s having fun,” Jones said. “His celebrations, the love for the game is back in his heart, and you can see it.
He’s a competitor. I think he comes back.
I think he’s got a lot left.”
And Jones wasn’t just talking vibes - he pointed to Rodgers’ arm strength as proof.
“At the end of one of the games, he threw a Hail Mary, just flicked his wrist, 70 [yards],” Jones said. “You can’t come out and coach that.”
Rodgers' future may still be up in the air, but one thing’s clear: he’s still got believers - not just in Pittsburgh, but in Minnesota, too. And with the new league year set to kick off at 4 p.m. ET on March 11, the clock is ticking.
Whether it’s a reunion in Pittsburgh or a jaw-dropping twist in Minnesota, Rodgers’ next move could shake up the quarterback landscape once again.