Steelers may soon have a quarterback who has yet to play a meaningful NFL game to thank for landing Aaron Rodgers
It has become clear that Aaron Rodgers' preferred destination is the Minnesota Vikings. With the Pittsburgh Steelers and New York Giants waiting in the wings, the decision from Rodgers all depends on what Minnesota's brass decides. Which according to Jeremy Fowler of ESPN, could mean sticking with their top 10 pick from a year ago… […]
It has become clear that Aaron Rodgers' preferred destination is the Minnesota Vikings.
With the Pittsburgh Steelers and New York Giants waiting in the wings, the decision from Rodgers all depends on what Minnesota's brass decides.
Which according to Jeremy Fowler of ESPN, could mean sticking with their top 10 pick from a year ago…
J.J. McCarthy could bring Aaron Rodgers to Pittsburgh
“All their [Minnesota Vikings] moves, especially with two big offensive line signings says we’re all in on J.J. McCarthy and his development,” Fowler told the Dan Patrick Show. “Like what they told me, he’s already proven he’s going to be their franchise guy. They’re convinced of that, and so they’re just only willing to go so far. I’d be surprised if Rodgers is there. I still think he’ll be, if I had to bet right now, a Pittsburgh Steeler.”
An unrisky proposition to make, it's the New York Giants who are hosting quarterbacks left and right, including Russell Wilson, and not the Steelers. That leads us to believe that Rodgers' top two teams are the Vikings and Steelers.
And sure, Pittsburgh did sign Mason Rudolph, and he may be their starter in 2025, but that's not the plan. The plan has always been Justin Fields, Aaron Rodgers then whoever walks through door number three.
Maybe that option is trading for an established quarterback, or drafting a signal caller high in April's draft. But it now starts and ends with Aaron Rodgers and the Vikings' decision-makers.
The move to stick with J.J. McCarthy shouldn't come as a surprise if they so choose. The Vikings used premium draft capital, (top 10 pick) in last year's NFL Draft to acquire McCarthy, and as Fowler said, have gone all in around him.
Now that doesn't prevent them from signing a veteran signal-caller for insurance, but Aaron Rodgers isn't insurance. He's going wherever, to the starter, or else he will retire.
So it's pretty cut and dry. Do the Vikings decide that giving McCarthy (who just turned 22 years old) another year on the bench, but this time fully healthy, is their best course for long-term success?
Or do they risk him losing confidence in the coaching staff and organization to try and go all in on winning a Super Bowl with a ready-made roster in 2025?
Time will tell which choice they make.
