As of Wednesday morning, it was nonetheless believed that quarterback Aaron Rodgers would select the Minnesota Vikings over the Pittsburgh Steelers within the occasion that the Vikings do not wish to title 2024 first-round draft decide J.J. McCarthy their QB1 coming off the full meniscus restore that price McCarthy his rookie season.
On Wednesday, ESPN’s Kevin Seifert addressed when and why the Vikings would flip to Rodgers earlier than the beginning of coaching camp.
“McCarthy must display overwhelming proof this spring that he is not going to be able to play this season,” Seifert defined, “both due to an damage or an entire reversal of the talents and aptitude he demonstrated throughout his brief time in coaching camp final summer season. Contemplate Rodgers a break-the-glass choice in case of an emergency. In any other case, the Vikings are dedicated to their plan of getting McCarthy onto the sphere for the 2025 season.”
Seifert’s replace could present why Steelers proprietor and president Artwork Rooney II stated on Tuesday that “we maintain listening to that [Rodgers] is heading in our path.” Whereas historical past exhibits {that a} 41-year-old future Corridor of Fame quarterback does not should be in a membership’s facility throughout organized staff actions to search out success that fall, one would assume Pittsburgh head coach Mike Tomlin will need his 2025 Week 1 starter within the constructing earlier than July comes round.
In Wednesday’s piece, ESPN’s Brooke Pryor famous that Rodgers “may take into account retirement after his personal 20-year profession” or “may wait for an additional staff to come back calling within the occasion of an damage.” The truth that he lately accomplished a throwing session with Steelers vast receiver DK Metcalf seemingly signifies Rodgers is extra concerned about enjoying later this 12 months than in using off into the sundown.
With that stated, every day Rodgers stays unsigned is one that might contain McCarthy enduring some kind of setback that theoretically would trigger Vikings head coach Kevin O’Connell to succeed in out to his longtime good friend about serving as a brief starter for a staff that gained 14 of 16 video games this previous season till Sam Darnold produced a pair of nightmare outings.
