The Minnesota Vikings don't need Aaron Rodgers, they already have a starting quarterback. The Vikings have reportedly rejected trade calls for J.J. McCarthy, telling teams he'll be their starter heading into next season, according to Tom Pelissero of NFL Network.
The Vikings have been mentioned as a possible landing spot for the 41-year-old Rodgers, who was released by the New York Jets in March. Rodgers has reportedly been intrigued by the Vikings as a possible landing spot, but the team will roll with McCarthy, 22, next season.
The news takes another team off the board for Rodgers, who will now have to hope the Browns, Giants, Steelers or Titans come calling. Those four teams have unsettled quarterback depth charts heading into the 2025 season.
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While Rodgers will go down as one of the best quarterbacks in NFL history, his age started to show last season. Rodgers was able to return from an Achilles injury and start all 17 games for the Jets, but the team finished the year 5-12. Rodgers finished the year with 28 touchdowns against 11 interceptions. While Rodgers occasionally showed flashes of his former self, the Jets opted to go a different direction under center, signing former Pittsburgh Steelers quarterback Justin Fields.
J.J. McCarthy to start for Vikings in 2025
McCarthy, who was drafted by the team with the No. 10 overall pick in the 2024 NFL Draft, missed his entire rookie season due to a knee injury. McCarthy was drafted by the Vikings after a standout career at Michigan, where he played in 40 games over three seasons. His best year came as a junior, when McCarthy threw for 22 touchdowns against 4 interceptions while leading Michigan to a national championship.
McCarthy was expected to see some playing time as a rookie, but sustained a knee injury in August that resulted in season-ending surgery. He needed a second surgery on that knee, though that procedure did not impact McCarthy's recovery. He is expected to be healthy for the 2025 NFL season.
With McCarthy sidelined last year, Minnesota turned to former first-round pick Sam Darnold under center. Darnold turned in his best year as a pro, throwing for 35 touchdowns against 12 interceptions. That performance resulted in Darnold making the Pro Bowl for the first time in his career.
Darnold, 27, hit free agency following his breakout season. While the Vikings were rumored as a possible landing spot for Darnold, he signed a three-year $100.5 million deal with the Seattle Seahawks.
With Darnold out of the picture in Minnesota, the Vikings are expected to bring in a veteran quarterback to sit behind McCarthy on the depth chart. With Rodgers reportedly out of their plans, the Vikings will turn their attention to the other veteran quarterbacks on the market.
