With his free agency options running low, NFL quarterback Aaron Rodgers could be waiting with baited breath on the decision of one person to sign with a new team.
Rodgers, who is set to be official cut from the New York Jets after June 1, is looking for his next home.
But it seems that there’s some form of mutual interest between Rodgers and the Minnesota Vikings.
After the Seattle Seahawks signed Sam Darnold, options are dwindling for the 41-year-old. At the same time, the Vikings are running out of choices for their backup quarterback role.
However, there appears to be one person holding the keys to the decision: Vikings head coach Kevin O’Connell.
Per The Athletic, O’Connell – the NFL’s Coach of the Year last season – has ‘the biggest sway’ on Rodgers’ future with the team.
If Aaron Rodgers will sign with the Minnesota Vikings, it comes down to one man’s choice
The Athletic says that team leaders are deferring to the decision of coach Kevin O’Connell
It’s likely that the decision comes down to the Vikings’ faith in 2024 draftee JJ McCarthy
The Vikings already have JJ McCarthy set in line to start – but will need to sign a backup quarterback after Darnold fled.
While owners Zygi and Mark Wilf and general manager Kwesi Adofo-Mensah will have a say on the matter, the outlet is reporting that they will ‘defer’ to O’Connell on the matter.
It’s likely the decision on Rodgers comes down to how confident the coaching staff is on McCarthy.
The Vikings picked McCarthy tenth overall in the 2024 NFL Draft out of Michigan.
He was projected to be the team’s starter last season, but suffered a season-ending injury in the preseason. With Darnold at the helm, the Vikings shocked the NFL by still making the playoffs.
If the Vikings choose to pᴀss on Rodgers, he could likely sign with either the Pittsburgh Steelers or the New York Giants.
Rodgers had a tough time in New York with the Jets. He played only four offensive snaps in the 2023 season, then followed that up by winning just five games in the 2024 season.
