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The Vikings just dropped $13 million on a move that could either make or break J.J. McCarthy’s career

Posted on June 9, 2025 - 6:08 am by

The Minnesota Vikings have made a bold decision that signals their unwavering commitment to J.J. McCarthy as their quarterback of the future, passing on a chance to sign four-time MVP Aaron Rodgers, who inked a one-year, $13.6 million deal with the Pittsburgh Steelers. This move, as reported by ESPN’s Jeremy Fowler, officially kicks off the Vikings’ championship window with McCarthy at the helm, but it’s a high-stakes gamble that could define the young quarterback’s career.

Fowler, speaking on the 9 am ET edition of SportsCenter on June 8, 2025, emphasized the significance of the Vikings’ choice. “The Minnesota Vikings, greatly affected here because they started to roll with J.J. McCarthy this offseason. Rodgers definitely had an interest in playing for the Vikings, looking at playing for one of those elite-type play-callers like Kevin O’Connell,” Fowler noted. “They saw this as a three-year window, right now, to win a championship, with a really good quarterback [McCarthy] they like on a rookie deal. They can build around him with some pieces. So they’re going to go for it without Rodgers, officially, now.”

The Vikings’ decision to let Rodgers, a 10-time Pro Bowler, four-time All-Pro, and Super Bowl champion, slip away was not made lightly. Throughout the offseason, Minnesota was linked to Rodgers, especially after allowing quarterbacks Sam Darnold (now with the Seattle Seahawks) and Daniel Jones (now with the Indianapolis Colts) to leave in free agency. With only Brett Rypien, Max Brosmer, and Sam Howell as other quarterback options on the roster, the Vikings’ faith in McCarthy is clear. This move underscores their belief that the former Michigan star can lead the franchise to a title within the next three years, leveraging the financial flexibility of his rookie contract to build a competitive roster around him.

Kevin O’Connell’s Clear Commitment to McCarthy

Head coach Kevin O’Connell, who has a longstanding relationship with Rodgers, addressed the situation candidly on KFAN on June 6, 2025. O’Connell and Rodgers, who first connected during offseason workouts in San Diego when O’Connell was an NFL player, discussed the possibility of Rodgers joining the Vikings. “Aaron and I have known each other since he lived in San Diego at the time when I was playing in the NFL. We’d work out together in the offseasons, built a friendship, rapport … We’ve kept in touch throughout seasons,” O’Connell said. “So, there was an opportunity when him and I connected this offseason, just to kind of talk about, ‘Hey, what would that look like?’ We had a lot of great dialogue about it.”

Despite their friendship, O’Connell made it clear that McCarthy is the priority. “It always was centered around what was best, not only for the present in the Minnesota Vikings organization, but the future. And I was very honest about my feelings towards J.J., my obligation that I felt like we’re going to give him the best possible situation to begin and thrive on this NFL journey, and let’s see where it goes,” O’Connell explained. This commitment to McCarthy silenced any speculation about Rodgers challenging for the starting role, even though the veteran quarterback’s name stirred excitement—and some controversy—among Vikings fans earlier in the offseason.

O’Connell acknowledged Rodgers’ polarizing presence, noting, “I understand it’s Aaron Rodgers. This is a Hall of Fame quarterback, and a guy that, you see, you mention his name, and it’s probably going to be a very popular thing, and probably a good thing for anybody with a microphone.” However, he emphasized that his focus remains on McCarthy’s development, stating, “I still talk to [Rodgers]. Next time I talk to him, it’s going to be the same old thing. He’s different than people probably think, but I think that’s all part of it, this day and age.”

Rodgers’ Missed Opportunity and McCarthy’s Moment

Rodgers, now 41, is coming off a 2024 season with the New York Jets where he completed 63% of his passes for 3,897 yards, 28 touchdowns, and 11 interceptions. His resume as a proven winner made him an attractive option for a Vikings team looking to compete immediately. However, by choosing McCarthy, an unproven rookie, over Rodgers, the Vikings are betting on potential over experience. This decision echoes the team’s history with another Packers legend, Brett Favre, who played for the Vikings in 2009 and 2010 after a stint with the Jets. Unlike Favre, though, Rodgers will not don the purple and gold.

Instead, Rodgers will face the Vikings as an opponent in Week 4 of the 2025 season, when Minnesota travels to Ireland to take on the Steelers. This matchup will give Rodgers a chance to prove the Vikings wrong for passing on him. For McCarthy, it’s an early test against one of the NFL’s all-time greats—a moment that could shape perceptions of his readiness to lead.

High Stakes for McCarthy’s Career

The Vikings’ decision to forego Rodgers and other veteran options like Darnold and Jones places immense pressure on McCarthy to deliver. With a three-year championship window now open, the team is banking on O’Connell’s offensive expertise and a talented roster to support their young quarterback. However, McCarthy remains an unknown commodity, and the Vikings’ choice to build around him is a calculated risk. If McCarthy thrives, the Vikings could establish a new era of success. If he falters, the decision to pass on a proven winner like Rodgers could haunt the franchise for years.

As the 2025 season approaches, all eyes will be on McCarthy to see if he can justify the Vikings’ bold $13.6 million gamble—the cost of letting Rodgers sign elsewhere. The clock is ticking, and McCarthy’s career hangs in the balance.