An initial report claiming the Vikings aren’t “pursuing” quarterback Aaron Rodgers proved deceptive. Minnesota may check back in with Rodgers relying on how 2024 first-round draft choose J.J. McCarthy seems to be throughout springtime exercises coming off the full meniscus repair that price him his rookie season.
In a chunk printed Friday morning, Vikings insider Alec Lewis of The Athletic expanded on why head coach Kevin O’Connell and the Vikings regime have but to fully rule out probably signing Rodgers earlier than coaching camp practices get underway.
“O’Connell and Rodgers have identified one another for over a decade,” Lewis defined. “Each performed quarterback in school on the West Coast within the early 2000s. They met and have stayed linked over time. As soon as O’Connell realized of Rodgers’ curiosity, executives and coaches evaluated Rodgers’ movie from the 2024 season late into the evening. …Many inside the constructing supported the thought of including Rodgers, pondering he may nonetheless function at a excessive degree, particularly within the pocket. Some noticed a roster constructed to win for 2025 and McCarthy, a second-year participant rising from a knee harm with just one preseason recreation underneath his belt, as a less-than-certain choice.”
All through March, quite a few stories have indicated the New York Giants and Pittsburgh Steelers are able to signal Rodgers as quickly as potential. Nevertheless, he seemingly is willing to wait to be taught if a Vikings crew that went 14-3 in 2024 earlier than Sam Darnold endured a pair of nightmare outings will determine that the longer term Corridor of Famer is a greater choice for the 2025 marketing campaign than the unproven McCarthy.
“The Vikings are on the lookout for a giant spring and summer season from McCarthy,” Lewis added. “Offseason exercises start April 7, and he can have the chance to point out the Vikings what they hope to see. His bodily situation issues. His command of O’Connell’s offense is vital, too. …Till Rodgers indicators with a crew or retires, the prospect of him in Minnesota can’t be dominated out. McCarthy may undergo a setback along with his knee, or the Vikings may come to the conclusion that he wants extra growth time.”
As a lot as O’Connell and Co. might imagine McCarthy will finally be able to guiding the membership to a Tremendous Bowl, the Vikings are a win-now crew with veteran gamers who might view Rodgers because the group’s best choice for 2025 assuming he fully recovers from the quite a few bodily setbacks he handled throughout what grew to become his remaining season with the New York Jets.
In brief, these pondering the Vikings are “out” on Rodgers are mistaken. There is no motive for Minnesota to hurry a remaining QB1 choice for subsequent season, as significant practices are nonetheless months down the street.
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