Aaron Rodgers Rumors: Vikings Will 'Continue to Monitor' QB Amid Steelers, Giants Buzz

While not aggressively pursuing him, the Minnesota Vikings are reportedly keeping tabs on free-agent quarterback Aaron Rodgers.

According to Dianna Russini of The Athletic, the Vikings will "continue to monitor" Rodgers, but they are "not ready to commit" to signing him.

Russini added that the Vikings have "strongly considered" adding Rodgers this offseason, but they realize that by not signing him, it could lead to the future Hall of Famer signing elsewhere or even retiring.

Earlier Wednesday, NFL Network's Tom Pelissero reported that the Vikings are not pursuing Rodgers any longer, as they plan to move forward with 2024 first-round draft pick J.J. McCarthy as their starting quarterback.

Per Pelissero, the Vikes do plan to add a veteran quarterback to their roster, but they have rebuffed trade calls on McCarthy and he is trending toward being the starter in 2025.

The Vikings signing Rodgers may not be completely out of the question, though, as sources told ESPN's Kevin Seifert there remains a "non-zero" chance it happens.

Rodgers, 41, became a free agent after the New York Jets released him this offseason. Following a trade from the Green Bay Packers, Rodgers missed essentially his entire first season in New York due to a torn Achilles before starting all 17 games in 2024.

Although Rodgers put up decent numbers by completing 63.0 percent of his passes for 3,897 yards, 28 touchdowns and 11 interceptions, the Jets went just 5-12 and decided to move on from him.

So far this offseason, Rodgers has most often been linked to the Pittsburgh Steelers, New York Giants and Vikings, and Minnesota's current stance could mean that the Steelers and Giants are the finalists for his services.

ESPN's Jeremy Fowler (h/t SNY's Alex Smith) reported Sunday that Rodgers has a "standing offer" from both the Steelers and Giants, although a timeline for the four-time NFL MVP's decision remains unclear.

The Steelers would undoubtedly provide Rodgers with a better chance to win in 2025, as they reached the playoffs last season with both Russell Wilson and Justin Fields playing significant time at quarterback.

Pittsburgh also added star wide receiver DK Metcalf in a trade with the Seattle Seahawks this offseason, giving the Steelers one of the most talented wideout duos in the league between him and George Pickens.

As for the Giants, they are coming off a three-win season, and they are still seemingly far away from playoff contention.

Rodgers would have some offensive talent to work with, primarily in the form of 2024 first-round pick Malik Nabers at wide receiver, but he likely wouldn't be anything more than a stopgap until the Giants find their quarterback of the future.

The same would probably be true for the one-time Super Bowl MVP in Minnesota as well since the Vikings invested a first-round pick in McCarthy to make him the starter sooner rather than later.

As evidenced by going 14-3 last season, the Vikings have a Super Bowl-caliber roster, and quarterback may be the one major question mark holding them back.

They allowed Sam Darnold to leave in free agency and sign with the Seahawks following an early playoff exit, and it is fair to wonder if Rodgers would be able to fare any better at his age.

Allowing McCarthy to grow and learn in the starting role may be the best thing for the Vikings in the present and future, and if they decide to go in that direction, then Rodgers' pool of suitors may be down to two.