Until he makes a decision (don't hold your breath) or the team publicly squashes the reports that are out there, the speculation about Aaron Rodgers and the Minnesota Vikings is not going away. Daily shows will cover and talk about it, with individual analysts giving their take one way or the other about the possibility Rodgers lands in Minnesota.
It's easy to think if the Vikings really wanted Rodgers, he would already be signed. He apparently wants them above his other two known suitors, the New York Giants and Pittsburgh Steelers. A recent report from The Athletic confirmed the other option for Rodgers--retirement.
Rodgers will take his sweet time to decide his future, while apparently crossing his fingers that Minnesota wants him, while the Giants and Steelers wait. Not to mention holding up the rest of the quarterback market for those who are still looking for a team. But Rodgers loves the attention, though he'll also complain about it when he has his next public opportunity.
ESPN's Adam Schefter has refreshingly been a harsh critic of Rodgers in terms of how has has approached his free agency process. It truly shouldn't be that hard. Waiting on the Vikings could prove fruitless while pushing the other two teams who are pursuing him toward other options. But maybe that's what he wants, so he can just say, "Oh well, I guess I'll just retire" if Minnesota doesn't want him.
ESPN NFL Insider Adam Schefter proves what we already know about Aaron Rodgers and the Minnesota Vikings
On a recent episode of his podcast, Schefter weighed in on the possibility of Rodgers going to the Vikings when asked by Ty Schmit of "The Pat McAfee Show."
"Let's start out here, Ty. With Aaron Rodgers, we don't fully know. We can only surmise. But we're talking to a lot of people, on a lot of different teams, and here's where we believe, don't know, but here's where we believe the situation currently is at.
If Aaron Rodgers had his way, I believe that he would like to sign with the Minnesota Vikings. Do I think that that's happening? Not today. Not next week. Do I think it's out of the question? Not entirely. Do I think it's likely? No. But again, it's just lingering out there.
Clearly he has not made a decision about what he's going to do, where he's going to play, [or] if he's going to play."
Schefter added the "Brett Favre" layer for Rodgers (playing against the Green Bay Packers, etc.) while also noting he doesn't know that it's "practical" for the Vikings with J.J. McCarthy in place as the quarterback of the future.
Schefter also acknowledged the possibility of McCarthy not being healthy enough or ready to start next season, could cause Minnesota to revisit signing Rodgers.
Any insight Schefter has on this topic is noteworthy, and it should not be skewed by the fact he's a Michigan alum like McCarthy.
It has always felt like Rodgers is a headache the Vikings should not want to invite, but ESPN's top NFL Insider has only proved what's already clear. Nobody really knows anything right now, and until further notice, the reporting and speculation is not going away.
