The Vikings Should Have Signed Aaron Rodgers Last Off-Season

One of the most underrated storylines of this NFL season is the decision by the Minnesota Vikings to pass on signing Aaron Rodgers for a veteran minimum contract. It’s a move that flew under the radar this offseason — but as the season unfolds, it’s looking like one that could define their year.

The Vikings found themselves in a complicated situation. They had to make a choice: commit long-term to Sam Darnold or fully hand the reins to J.J. McCarthy, their 10th overall pick from the previous draft. Given the investment in McCarthy, it made sense at the time to prioritize his development. But hindsight has painted a different picture.

While McCarthy has only played two NFL games, early signs suggest the Vikings might have miscalculated. The young quarterback has already battled multiple injuries — a torn meniscus last year and now an ankle sprain that’s kept him sidelined longer than expected. Whether it’s bad luck or a concerning trend, the label of injury-prone is starting to stick.

Minnesota’s front office appeared confident that McCarthy could step into Kevin O’Connell’s system and produce immediately. But when signs during the summer pointed to him not being ready, the Vikings stood pat. They didn’t pursue additional quarterback help — even when Aaron Rodgers was available and reportedly open to taking a minimum contract to join the team.

Rodgers, now with the Pittsburgh Steelers, has looked rejuvenated. After last season with the Jets, many doubted whether he’d look like his old self again. But through the early part of this season, he’s proven he's not completely washed.

His arm strength remains elite — highlighted by a Hail Mary attempt against the Bengals last week. With the right supporting cast, Rodgers looks capable of leading a legitimate contender.

And that’s what makes this decision so frustrating for Vikings fans. Imagine Rodgers operating in an offense that features Justin Jefferson, Jordan Addison, T.J. Hockenson, and a backfield duo of Aaron Jones and Jordan Mason — all under the guidance of an offensive-minded head coach in Kevin O’Connell.

Add in a defense that’s already shown it can hang with some of the NFC’s best, and the Vikings could have been in legitimate Super Bowl contention. Instead, they’re stuck waiting to see whether McCarthy can stay healthy and develop fast enough to justify passing on a future Hall of Famer.

Letting a young quarterback sit behind a proven veteran isn’t a radical concept — it’s a proven formula. The Green Bay Packers, ironically, mastered it with both Rodgers and Jordan Love. Rodgers himself spent years learning behind Brett Favre, and Love did the same behind Rodgers.

The Vikings had the perfect opportunity to replicate that model. Rodgers didn’t sign with the Steelers until June, giving Minnesota ample time to act. All the pieces were in place — a veteran looking for one more shot at a title, and a young QB who could have benefited from a season of learning.

It’s easy to see how things could have played out differently. Rodgers gets one more shot to chase a ring with a playoff-caliber roster. McCarthy gets the time to learn and heal. The Vikings stay competitive and avoid rushing their young quarterback into the fire.

Instead, they chose the hard way. And if J.J. McCarthy continues to struggle or can’t stay on the field, the decision to let Aaron Rodgers walk to Pittsburgh may go down as one of the bigger mistakes of last off-season.