The 2025 NFL offseason was a whirlwind of speculation, with rumors swirling that the Minnesota Vikings might sign veteran quarterback Aaron Rodgers before he ultimately landed with the Pittsburgh Steelers. For Vikings fans, the decision to pass on the four-time MVP was a relief—and for one player in particular, it’s personal.
During a recent episode of the NFL Spotlight w/ Ari Meirov podcast, Vikings safety Josh Metellus didn’t hold back when discussing his team’s decision to steer clear of Rodgers. “I’m so happy we didn’t bring him on the team because I want to be able to pick him off before he retires,” Metellus said with a grin. “I need to get him back for throwing touchdowns on me. I can’t go out letting my favorite player of all-time growing up do me like that. I gotta get him back. I’m so happy we didn’t bring him in.”
Metellus, a rising star in Minnesota’s secondary, revealed that Rodgers was his childhood idol, making the prospect of intercepting the All-Pro quarterback all the more tantalizing. “It’s respect, but it’s also motivation,” Metellus said. “Getting a pick off him? That’d be sweet.”
The stage is set for Metellus to chase his redemption in Week 4 of the 2025 season, when the Vikings face Rodgers and the Steelers in a highly anticipated showdown in Dublin, Ireland. This international clash promises to be a spectacle, with Minnesota’s defense hungry to make Rodgers regret every throw.
This won’t be the first time the Vikings have faced Rodgers on foreign soil. Last season, in a Week 5 battle in London, England, Minnesota’s defense humbled Rodgers and the New York Jets. Despite throwing for 244 yards and two touchdowns, Rodgers was plagued by three interceptions, as the Vikings secured a decisive victory. Metellus and his teammates are now eyeing an even bigger performance in Dublin, with their sights set on doubling down on Rodgers’ mistakes.
“Three picks? That’s nothing,” Metellus said with a laugh. “We’re coming for more. I want one of those balls in my hands this time.”
As the Vikings prepare to take on Rodgers’ Steelers, the matchup carries extra weight. For Metellus, it’s a chance to settle a score against his childhood hero. For Minnesota, it’s an opportunity to prove their defense can dominate one of the game’s greatest quarterbacks—again. With Dublin’s electric atmosphere awaiting, the Vikings are ready to make Rodgers pay double for daring to test their secondary.