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Following the trade with the Las Vegas Raiders for Geno Smith, the Minnesota Vikings will open up all quarterback choices in 2025 NFL free agency. Many people believe their attention will be on former top 10 pick J.J. McCarthy, but Aaron Rodgers is quietly rising as a potential Sam Darnold successor.
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Minnesota Vikings Considering Aaron Rodgers as Option
Darnold is unlikely to return to the Vikings after the Smith trade, according to Tom Pelissero. The deal triggered a chain reaction in the quarterback free agency market, with Minnesota now considering all alternatives, including Rodgers, according to Ian Rapoport.
According to Rapoport, the Vikings will "turn their eyes to Daniel Jones," an unrestricted free agent. Jones, on the other hand, has a number of possibilities, forcing Minnesota to consider all of its options. According to Rapoport, Rodgers is "considering" the New York Giants, while the Vikings are "dark horse" prospects as his next destination.
Rodgers is still under contract with the New York Jets, but the team has notified him that he will not return in 2025. It remains to be seen whether the Vikings are willing to trade for him or if they intend to sign him in free agency after his release.
Regardless matter who it is, the Vikings are clearly committed to keeping an experienced veteran quarterback on the roster. Whoever they recruit in free agency will have to battle with McCarthy for the starting job during training camp.
While the entire NFL world believes McCarthy has great potential, the Vikings appear to be hesitant about his approach. McCarthy is coming off a torn meniscus that sidelined him for the entire rookie season. Despite spending the entire year on the sidelines, he shown chemistry with head coach Kevin O'Connell and Darnold.
Depending on which veteran the Vikings sign in free agency, McCarthy could be forced to start another season as the backup. In either case, most expect him to take over as the team's starting quarterback sooner rather than later. Rodgers, who did not start until his fourth year in the league, may serve as an excellent transitional model for him to follow.
