The J.J. McCarthy meltdown that would have to happen for Vikings to sign Aaron Rodgers

Though the Steelers seem like the only option left for Aaron Rodgers. perhaps the 41-year-old is waiting to make his free agency decision because he’s holding out hope the Vikings will reverse course.

Minnesota’s current plan is to hand the reins to J.J. McCarthy, last year’s first-round pick who missed his entire rookie season after undergoing knee surgery.

But the Vikings appear to be leaving the door ajar for Rodgers, as ESPN’s Kevin Seifert writes that “McCarthy would have to demonstrate overwhelming evidence this spring that he will not be ready to play this season, either because of an injury or a complete reversal of the skills and apтιтude he demonstrated during his short time in training camp last summer.”

The Vikings are in win-now mode coming off a 14-3 season during which Sam Darnold revitalized his career; he signed with the Seahawks in free agency.

Vikings brᴀss has expressed confidence in McCarthy, but it wouldn’t be a total shock if a quarterback who has yet to play a regular-season NFL snap weren’t totally ready to lead a team to championship contention.

Rodgers and Vikings head coach Kevin O’Connell became friendly when O’Connell was still a player.

“He happened to be at a point in time in his career where he was free to have some real dialogue about what his future may look like,” O’Connell told reporters this week at the league meeting in Palm Beach, per ESPN. “And we happened to be one of those teams that he reached out to. And I have had a personal relationship with him going back since my playing days.”

The Giants pursued Rodgers but opted to sign Russell Wilson and Jameis Winston to join Tommy DeVito and a potential draft pick in their quarterback room.

Rodgers recently visited Steelers brᴀss at their team facility, and owner Art Rooney II told reporters this week he “keeps hearing” Rodgers is Pittsburgh-bound.