NFL insider claims Vikings HC Kevin O’Connell stands between Aaron Rodgers and retirement

After staying silent and stalling for a long time, Aaron Rodgers seems to be leaning toward the Vikings as his next team.

NFL insider claims Vikings HC Kevin O’Connell stands between Aaron Rodgers and retirement

Kevin O'Connell and Aaron Rodgers (Image via IMAGO)

The race to sign Aaron Rodgers quickly narrowed to just the Pittsburgh Steelers, the New York Giants, and the Minnesota Vikings. However, a recent report from The Athletic claimed that Rodgers is slowly moving away from the Steelers by zoning in on playing for the Vikings or retiring from football.

For weeks, the Steelers appeared to be the favorites to sign the 41-year-old over the Giants after parting ways with both Russell Wilson and Justin Fields. Pittsburgh made more sense considering they boast a much more stable and experienced roster, reaching the playoffs last year. It also presented Rodgers with the chance to play under Mike Tomlin.

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Despite the interest, Rodgers has been taking his time to make a final decision, riling up ESPN’s Adam Schefter. Until Rodgers makes up his mind about picking a team, the window to sign with a team is closing for veteran players such as Wilson and Joe Flacco.

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However, a major shift happened, according to Dianna Russini, Michael Silver, and Alec Lewis, that might change the NFL quarterback picture entirely. The trio claimed in their latest article that Rodgers is no longer keen on signing with the Steelers; instead, he’s viewing the Vikings as his preferred destination.

Kevin O’Connell and Rodgers are on good terms, but the ball is in the court of the Vikings head coach. Depending on O’Connell’s response, Rodgers may even consider retiring from football altogether.

[Aaron] Rodgers has been targeted by the Steelers and Giants but has essentially put both teams on hold while he waits for clarity regarding the Vikings’ situation. If Minnesota ceases to be an option, it’s also possible that Rodgers will turn down both the Steelers (a 2024 playoff team) and Giants and instead opt for retirement.

The Athletic’s latest article revealed

Does the Vikings make more sense for Aaron Rodgers over signing with the Steelers?

Rodgers to the Vikings makes sense, and it doesn’t at the same time. If the 4x NFL MVP does end up with the Vikings, then he will follow in the footsteps of his predecessor Brett Favre, who played the majority of his career with the Packers, then went to the Jets, and finally retired with the Vikings.

NFL insider claims Vikings HC Kevin O'Connell stands between Aaron Rodgers and retirement
Aaron Rodgers (Image via IMAGO)

Favre, in a recent interview, agreed that Rodgers playing for the Vikings in 2025 is a great situation for both parties.

By all means, sign with them [Vikings]. They got a really good football team. They’re loaded at pretty much every position. They made it to the playoffs last year. They got a tremendous fan base, much like the Packers. If you get the opportunity, that’s a good place to win. Of course, you gotta play the Packers then.

Brett Favre said on the Dan Cain Show

Rodgers will undeniably benefit from playing inside a dome in Minnesota compared to an open-air amphitheater in Pittsburgh, where the weather reaches below freezing temperatures. More importantly, he will have Justin Jefferson and Jordan Addison as his receivers, who combined recorded over 2400 yards and 19 receiving touchdowns. Furthermore, Aaron Jones re-signed a two-year deal, and the Vikings traded for Jordan Mason from the 49ers.

The decision rests on O’Connell on whether he wants to sign an aging Rodgers, who is asking for the same as Sam Darnold’s $33.5 million/year deal (per the Athletic) with the Seahawks. If O’Connell is willing to give Rodgers that amount, then he could have kept Darnold, who led them to a 14-3 season in 2024 and is 14 years younger than the Super Bowl winner.

Let’s not stray from the fact that Rodgers can still sling it. Even though the Jets only won five games last year, Rodgers threw for 3,897 yards and 28 touchdowns, a year after tearing his ACL.

However, the biggest unanswered question revolves around the Vikings’ first-round pick, JJ McCarthy, who missed his rookie season due to injury. If Rodgers signs, then McCarthy has to play the Jordan Love role, but for how long?

They’ve got JJ McCarthy there. [Vikings] moved up to get him. He’s the future. They feel great about him. He’s obviously injured. At least he’s coming off this. So, time-wise, where does he look health-wise? When will he be ready to go? This is not as clean as Minnesota would like because how do you manage JJ McCarthy? You don’t want to mess with the mental side and have him sit another year.

Dianna Russini argued while speaking with the Steelers expert Andrew Fillipponi on The PM Team W/Poni and Mueller on 93.7 The Fan

At some point, the Vikings would want to see McCarthy play for them. He is a former CFP champion, and the prospect of learning from Rodgers would entice him; a shortened playtime might frustrate him enough to ask for a trade, and any young quarterback would pray that they didn’t end up like Trey Lance.

The ball is in O’Connell’s court. He must assess all options and take the best decision for his team.

Related: Myles Garrett’s simple yet convincing pitch to Russell Wilson on joining Browns