Minnesota Vikings Replacing Sam Darnold With Aaron Rodgers Before Playoffs Makes Sense

The Minnesota Vikings are 8-2 entering their Week 12 matchup with the Chicago Bears (4-6) on Sunday. The Vikings have been winning with Sam Darnold, but the team could have a chance to upgrade at quarterbacks before the playoffs as the New York Jets continue to crumble.

In a Tuesday report by Dianna Russini and Zack Rosenblatt of The Athletic, Jets owner Woody Johnson was in favor of the team benching Aaron Rodgers following New York’s 10-9 loss to the Denver Broncos in Week 4. As the Jets enter their bye in Week 12 with a 3-8 record, questions surround Rodgers’ future with New York. After the team fired general manager Joe Douglas this week, Rodgers isn’t expected back in 2025.

If Rodgers even makes it to Week 18 for the 2024 season.

Aaron Rodgers could be a free agent soon

Mike Florio with Pro Football Talk believes Rodgers could force his way out of New York this season.

“There’s also a chance Rodgers will decide he wants out,” Florio wrote. “To be released. To leave the team, and perhaps to land with a contender that needs a quarterback. (Whether any contender would want him is a different issue.).”

There aren’t any playoff contenders with injured quarterbacks in Week 12. However, the Vikings and Indianapolis Colts could use an upgrade at the position if they want to make a serious Super Bowl run.

Rodgers to the Minnesota Vikings for a playoff run?

Rodgers could follow in Brett Favre’s footsteps by leaving the Jets for Minnesota. With rookie quarterback J.J. McCarthy knocked out in the preseason with an injury, Darnold has been the starter for Minnesota. The former first-round pick had a hot start with the Vikings, but he’s struggled in recent weeks (although he played well in a 23-13 win over the Tennessee Titans in Week 11).

Darnold has thrown for 2,387 yards, 19 touchdowns and 10 interceptions this season. He’s also had glaring mistakes in 2024, especially the Vikings’ 31-29 loss to the Detroit Lions. He threw three interceptions in Minnesota’s 12-7 win over the Jacksonville Jaguars in Week 10.

Signing and starting Rodgers over Darnold would be a risk. But the Vikings aren’t going to win a Super Bowl with Darnold under center. Rodgers could give Minnesota a boost in the playoffs–if the Jets let the four-time NFL MVP go midseason.

Imagine Rodgers heading back to the playoffs where the Green Bay Packers (his former team) and Lions (his former rival) could be potential matchups.