The Minnesota Vikings looked like a Super Bowl contender in 2024, so it was no doubt a risk to roll with J.J. McCarthy in 2025.
Granted, the Vikings invested a lot in McCarthy as a No. 10 overall pick, but he is also a total wild card after not playing during his rookie campaign due to a knee injury.
According to reports, veteran quarterback Aaron Rodgers was eyeing the Vikings in free agency before he ultimately ended up with the Pittsburgh Steelers. Rodgers was coming off a down season, but he would have at least provided a more sure thing than McCarthy.
However, the Vikings decided not to pursue Rodgers and instead moved forward with McCarthy. Here's why.
Why Vikings didn't sign Aaron Rodgers
ESPN's Jeremy Fowler reported the Vikings didn't sign the future Hall of Famer because of their three-year plan that included having a quarterback on a cheap rookie deal.
“They saw this as a three-year window right now to win a championship with a really good quarterback they like on a rookie deal," Fowler reported.
It looked like not signing Rodgers was going to be a tough pill to swallow for Vikings fans early on in the Monday night game against the Chicago Bears, as McCarthy struggled early.
However, the Michigan product settled in nicely as the game progressed and is starting to show why the Vikings were so high on him.
Meanwhile, the questions about how much Rodgers has left in the tank appear to have been premature, as the veteran quarterback looked like his old self in the Steelers' Week 1 win over the New York Jets.
MORE NFL NEWS
- Steelers rumor links Pittsburgh to possible trade for Tyreek Hill
- Eagles acquire running back in trade with Jaguars
- WWE legend Ric Flair has blunt message for Aaron Rodgers haters
- Detroit Lions tumble down NFL power rankings after Packers loss
- Broderick Jones already wearing out his welcome as Steelers left tackle
- Raiders climb in NFL power rankings after knocking off Patriots
- Bills make NFL history 4 times in miraculous win over Ravens