“The pitch is: If you wanna be a Steeler, be a Steeler. It wasn’t meant that I don’t like Rodgers or I’m against it. I think when I look at our team right now, it would be really cool to have a guy like Aaron Rodgers.” Steelers‘ vet DT Cam Heyward laid out what the team expects from Rodgers. But here’s the real question: does Rodgers even want to be in Pittsburgh? Seems like he doesn’t.
The reason’s pretty simple: Rodgers visited the Steelers’ facility last week, but there’s still no confirmation on a contract. Let’s clarify one thing: Rodgers is not the one to put a deal on hold just because of contract terms. The man’s not looking for a high payday, and it’s going to be a one-year deal. But why’s he playing the waiting game? It’s because he’s still interested in the Vikings.
Even after the Vikings seemingly ditched him (they want him as a backup for J.J. McCarthy), Rodgers is still in pursuit of Minnesota. That’s where the NFL Network’s Tom Pelissero gave him a reality check. On Wednesday, Pelissero made a virtual appearance on The Jim Rome Show, where he talked about Rodgers and the Steelers.’
“It’s Pittsburgh or wait.”@TomPelissero on Aaron Rodgers remaining options in free agency. pic.twitter.com/jmGZiCHad8
— Jim Rome (@jimrome) March 27, 2025
While navigating Rodgers‘ future with the Steelers, Pelissero talked about the QB’s negotiation with Minnesota. “Aaron had a high degree of interest in going to Minnesota,” he explained. “In my opinion, or based upon what I know, I think that the way that this was, you know, reported in some corners and the rumors were somewhat overblown, this was not like they (Vikings) were all in and getting signed Aaron Rodgers, and then something went sideways and they changed their mind.” He’s not wrong, though.
After moving on from Sam Darnold, Kevin O’Connell and his crew decided that McCarthy’s their guy. And let’s be real—after his rookie season was washed away because of the meniscus surgery, the team’s not going to bench him in the second season. McCarthy would be stuck riding the bench instead of growing into their franchise guy.
Because Rodgers is expected to call it a career after the 2025 season (if not in 2025). That would leave the Vikings with an inexperienced McCarthy. So yeah, Tom Pelissero believes that the Vikings are moving forward with McCarthy, and that’s not going to change. “It was always a long shot in Minnesota because they have a high degree of belief that JJ McCarthy is going to be the guy,” he continued.
“And if you, after he didn’t get any reps all last season because of the meniscus surgery, if you’re now saying, ‘hey, you’re not getting any reps in 2025 either,’ what is that doing to you in 2026 and 2027 where you would have no guarantees that Aaron Rodgers is going to be your quarterback? They decided at this point that they’re moving forward. I’m not anticipating that changing.” That said, the 41-year-old MVP is now left with one option.
Sure, the Browns are also looking for a veteran QB, but Rodgers is not expected to sign with Cleveland. And Pelissero believes that Rodgers has only one choice, and that’s to go to the Steelers—unless he considers retirement. As for the Vikings, they’re ready to kick-start their campaign with McCarthy.
The Vikings chose J.J. McCarthy over Aaron Rodgers
After weeks of speculations and the rumor mill buzzing around the Vikings-Rodgers contract talks, the franchise has finally decided to move forward with J.J. McCarthy as their QB1. And honestly, we already saw that one coming. While the doors remain open for Rodgers to land in Minnesota, but not as a starting QB but as a backup to McCarthy.
The Vikings’ general manager, Kweski Adofo-Mensah, addressed the media on Wednesday where he talked about whatever happened between Rodgers and the franchise in the past few weeks. “For me to sit here and say that anything’s 100%, forever, that’s just not the job, right?” Adofo-Mensah said. “We’re responding to scenarios and different information as it comes, so obviously things can change. But right now, we’re really happy with our room.”
Well, the GM played it smart. Because let’s be real—Adofo-Mensah didn’t directly address that they aren’t prepared for Rodgers to lead the offense in the next season. But still, the team has a room for Rodgers if anything unexpected happens to McCarthy considering the second-year QB is coming after undergoing a meniscus surgery.
As for McCarthy, the guy recently confessed that the team hasn’t confirmed if he’s going to be starting in 2025 or not. But here’s the kicker—despite that, the former first-round pick made it clear that he’s happy the franchise didn’t notify him about his role. “I’m happy they didn’t, because I try to earn it every single day, and I never want that to be given to me,” McCarthy said in that interview with Kay Adams.
That said, McCarthy is surely gearing up to start his era in Minnesota. As for Rodgers, his contract with the Steelers is still up in the air. But one thing’s certain: the Vikings are ready to go in separate directions with him.
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