Minnesota Vikings safety Josh Metellus, fresh off inking a lucrative three-year, $36 million contract extension, is gearing up for the 2025 NFL season with a personal mission—and it’s got Aaron Rodgers’ name written all over it. The hard-hitting defensive back didn’t hold back when discussing the swirling offseason rumors that had Rodgers, his childhood idol, nearly joining the Vikings. In a candid interview on the NFL Spotlight podcast with Ari Meirov, Metellus made it crystal clear: he’s thrilled Minnesota passed on signing the future Hall of Famer.
“A-Rod was my favorite quarterback growing up,” Metellus confessed, reminiscing about his days as a fan of the NFC North. “I only watched the division for two players: Aaron Rodgers and Adrian Peterson.” But hero worship took a backseat when Metellus, then a rookie, faced Rodgers on the field in 2020. The memory still stings. “My first season, we’re playing Green Bay, and he throws a touchdown—my first touchdown that Aaron Rodgers threw against me,” Metellus recalled. The play saw Rodgers connect with Packers star Davante Adams while Metellus was in coverage, a moment that’s been etched in his mind for five years.
“I can’t be going out letting my favorite player of all time do me like that,” he said with a fire in his voice. “I gotta get him back. I am so happy we didn’t bring him in.”
That burning desire for redemption has Metellus circling September 28, 2025, on his calendar. That’s when the Vikings will face Rodgers and his new team, the Pittsburgh Steelers, in a highly anticipated clash in Dublin, Ireland. Rodgers, with 116 career interceptions to his name, is a tough target, but Metellus is laser-focused on adding his name to that list before the legendary quarterback retires. “I want to pick him off before he hangs it up,” Metellus declared, his competitive edge shining through.
The Vikings’ offseason was a whirlwind of quarterback speculation, with names like Sam Darnold and Rodgers dominating headlines. Ultimately, Minnesota doubled down on their future, sticking with J.J. McCarthy as their starting quarterback. They bolstered their depth by trading for Sam Howell and signing former Minnesota Gophers standout Max Brosmer as an undrafted free agent, ensuring a robust quarterback room without Rodgers’ polarizing presence.
For Metellus, the decision to bypass Rodgers wasn’t just about team strategy—it was personal. “Thank God it fell through!” he said with a laugh, relieved to have the chance to face his childhood hero as an opponent rather than a teammate. As the Vikings prepare for their international showdown, all eyes will be on Metellus to see if he can turn his dream of picking off Rodgers into reality.