Aaron Rodgers and Top QB Options for Vikings After Sam Darnold's Seahawks Contract

The Minnesota Vikings are on the hunt for a new starting quarterback in 2025 following Sam Darnold's reported exit in free agency.

According to ESPN's Adam Schefter, Darnold reached an agreement on a massive three-year contract worth $100.5 million with the Seattle Seahawks. The deal includes $55 million guaranteed.

Darnold was stellar throughout his lone season in Minnesota, completing 66.2 percent of his throws for 4,319 yards and 35 touchdowns compared to 12 interceptions. He finished with a record of 14-3 as a starter and earned the first Pro Bowl nod of his career.

A split between both sides appeared to be a likely possibility as Monday's free-agency tampering period approached, with NFL Network's Tom Pelissero reporting on Saturday that the signal-called was "not expected to return" to Minnesota.

As the Vikings attempt to make the playoffs once again in 2025, they'll have multiple internal and external options available to them as they look to replace Darnold.

Aaron Rodgers

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If the Vikings are searching for a veteran quarterback on the free-agent market, it'll be hard to find one with more experience than Aaron Rodgers.

The four-time MVP spent the 2024 season with the New York Jets, appearing in all 17 regular-season games. The Jets ended the year with a 5-12 record before announcing their decision to move on from Rodgers on Feb. 13.

According to NFL Network's Ian Rapoport, the Vikings are viewed as a "dark horse" to sign the 10-time Pro Bowl signal-caller.

Rodgers didn't look as poised in the pocket with New York compared to his back-to-back MVP seasons with the Green Bay Packers in 2020 and 2021, but he could take a step forward as he's further removed from the torn Achilles that ended his 2023 campaign in Week 1.

In 17 starts last season, Rodgers completed 63 percent of his throws for 3,897 yards and 28 touchdowns compared to 11 interceptions. He was also sacked 40 times.

If Rodgers wants to return to the NFC North, he could serve as a possible replacement for Darnold in 2025.

J.J. McCarthy

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J.J. McCarthy could have earned Minnesota's starting role as a rookie and he may have another chance to do so in 2025.

The Vikings selected McCarthy with the No. 10 overall pick in the 2024 NFL draft, as he was viewed as their long-term answer under center. The Michigan standout's rookie year came to an end in the preseason after suffering a torn meniscus, though.

McCarthy showed promise in his sole preseason appearance with Minnesota, finishing 11-of-17 for 188 yards and two touchdowns to go along with an interception.

The 22-year-old is on track to recover before training camp, with NFL Network's Tom Pelissero and Ian Rapoport reporting on Feb. 9 that the passer was expected to begin football drills "in the next few weeks" and should be "ready to roll by OTAs in May."

Vikings general manager Kwesi Adofo-Mensah also expressed his confidence in McCarthy at the end of the 2024 season.

"It's a redshirt year, but mentally, the process that they had, just in our exit meetings with him, just talking about how much he learned the year compared to other years in his football life, [it was] just exponential, which you would expect for a young player in this building," Adofo-Mensah told reporters. "So I think we're really confident in him, his work ethic, and his preparation."

As McCarthy prepares for his second season in the NFL, he could also be gearing up to start under center for Minnesota.

Daniel Jones

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Minnesota might not be completely committed to starting McCarthy in 2025, which could lead to the return of another quarterback with experience in head coach Kevin O'Connell's system.

The Vikings signed Daniel Jones following his release from the New York Giants in the middle of the 2024 season.

Jones didn't appear in a game with Minnesota, serving as a depth piece behind Darnold.

ESPN's Jeremy Fowler previously reported that the Vikings could consider bringing back Jones as a "cheaper alternative" to Darnold in 2025.

Prior to his release, the 27-year-old struggled with the Giants. In 10 starts, Jones completed 63.3 percent of his passes for 2,070 yards and eight touchdowns. He was also picked off seven times.

Jones may not be the most enticing option for Minnesota, but he could be a short-term contributor with 69 career starts under his belt and provide competition for McCarthy in training camp.