Sam Darnold put together the best season of his rollercoaster career in 2024, but it’s looking more and more likely that the Minnesota Vikings will let the 27-year-old quarterback walk in free agency.
So, the big question is: Who will lead the Vikings’ loaded offense next season?
Aaron Rodgers Eyed as Potential Vikings QB in 2025
According to NFL Network’s Mike Garafolo, Ian Rapoport of NFL.com, and The Athletic’s Dianna Russini, Aaron Rodgers could be the solution.
It would be a headline-grabbing move for several reasons, especially because it would bring the Green Bay Packers legend back to the stacked NFC North after his rocky stint with the Jets.
If Rodgers lands in Minnesota, his career arc will eerily mirror that of Brett Favre. Favre spent over a decade leading the Packers, won a Super Bowl, then played a season with the Jets before finishing his career as a Viking.
The Vikings are reportedly considering multiple quarterback options, including Daniel Jones, whom they claimed off waivers from the Giants in November, and J.J. McCarthy, their highly touted first-round pick in the 2024 draft.
McCarthy is expected to return to practice this spring after suffering a meniscus tear in the preseason last year.
Last year’s first-round pick, J.J. McCarthy, is expected to be cleared to practice this spring after missing his rookie season because of meniscus surgery. With Darnold on the way out, McCarthy’s time could be coming sooner than later. But they still want to add a veteran. https://t.co/SqQrqY2Zbp
— Tom Pelissero (@TomPelissero) March 8, 2025
According to NFL Network’s Tom Pelissero, the Vikings still want to add a veteran, regardless of McCarthy’s status for the spring. That makes Rodgers a real option.
However, the 41-year-old didn’t look like himself last season, posting a 72.2 rating in PFSN’s QB+ metric, ranking 21st in the league. Meanwhile, Darnold finished 12th with a 79.0.
That said, there’s precedent for an aging veteran making a splash in Minnesota after struggling in New York. Favre had an All-Pro season, leading the Vikings to a 12-4 record and the NFC Championship in his first year with the team.
So, could the Vikings’ front office see history repeating itself? If they want McCarthy to sit and learn for another season, Rodgers’ experience mentoring Jordan Love in Green Bay could be a plus.
Whatever their decision, the Vikings will have to move quickly. The NFL’s legal tampering period kicks off on March 10, with free agency officially opening on March 12.