Aaron Rodgers remains an impossible figure to account for as we draw closer to the 2025 NFL Draft. The legendary quarterback is yet to sign a new deal with a team. Throughout the summer, teams like the New York Giants, Pittsburgh Steelers, and even the Minnesota Vikings had been floating around as potential destinations.
The Steelers appear to be the most likely destination. Minnesota has seemingly dropped out of the race. But, according to a key NFL Insider, there was one place where Rodgers was ready to take a discount to join as their starting quarterback.
Aaron Rodgers Lenient To Brett Favre Trajectory
It has been a curious case of coincidence that Rodgers is following the Brett Favre model of Green Bay Packers to the New York Jets to the Minnesota Vikings. Unfortunately, for Rodgers, the list seems to have changed its destination post-New York.
According to NFL Network’s Ian Rapoport, Rodgers was intrigued to play in the Vikings’ system, under reigning NFL Coach of the Year Kevin O’Connell, and with weapons like Justin Jefferson and Jordan Addison at his disposal.
The senior reporter was covering the Rodgers’ story for The Insiders podcast on the NFL Network, debating the opinions that legendary Pittsburgh Steelers quarterback Ben Roethlisberger had shared about the situation.
“As far as Roethlisberger goes, he said a bunch of things here that are not entirely wrong,” Rapoport said. “Like, I don’t believe Aaron Rodgers is waiting for the Minnesota Vikings right now. He’s had enough conversations with the Vikings, with his good buddy Kevin O’Connell to know that the Vikings are looking at J.J. McCarthy as their starting quarterback.”
From The Insiders on @NFLNetwork: Big Ben isn't wrong. Aaron Rodgers was interested in the #Vikings. But even Rodgers knows now that wait would be futile. pic.twitter.com/G2VulEj23B
— Ian Rapoport (@RapSheet) April 3, 2025
However, even if entertaining the possibility that something could change on the Vikings’ front, Rapoport believes the change would come near training camp when O’Connell gets a deeper look at what McCarthy offers. But, the one-time Super Bowl champion probably wouldn’t wait that long.
Rapoport said: “Where Roethlisberger is probably right is, I think it’s pretty clear — the Minnesota Vikings were a place that Aaron Rodgers wanted to go — probably takes less money to get there. But I don’t think that’s a secret at all. It’s just, by now, he has got to know that that is not happening.”
No matter what happens the Pittsburgh Steelers want an answer. Rapoport theorized that the four-time NFL MVP could extend this negotiation until draft day in a similar move from two years ago when he first joined the Jets.
Currently, the Steelers do not have a starting-caliber quarterback on the roster. Career backup Mason Rudolph tops the depth chart in Pittsburgh. If the Rodgers’ deal does not happen, they’re going to have to scramble with the 21st overall pick in the draft with most of the marquee free-agent names off the board.