The Minnesota Vikings have come clean that they did have conversations with Aaron Rodgers during the peak free-agency period.
After all, when a four-time MVP calls, you pick up the phone.
However, the weight of those conversation, whether there was a legitimate chance for Rodgers to sign with the Vikings, remains salient in the minds of fans.
The flirtation with Rodgers has been used as a demerit toward J.J. McCarthy, who embarks on his first season as the team's true starter after he was not forced into the role with Sam Darnold in the building a year ago.
In an appearance on KFAN radio, Vikings coach Kevin O'Connell offered insight into what his conversations with Rodgers looked like.
While the idea of plugging Rodgers into the Vikings roster was enticing, O'Connell admitted that he was not just considering what the upcoming season would look like, but also how it would impact the future -- ergo McCarthy.
“When there was an opportunity, when him and I connected this offseason just to kind of talk about what that would look like, we had a lot of great dialogue about it,” O’Connell said on June 6. “But it always was centered around what was best not only for the present in the Minnesota Vikings organization, but the future.
“I was very honest about my feelings toward J.J.,” he added. “My obligation that I felt like we were going to give him the best possible situation to begin and thrive on this NFL journey and let’s see where it goes.”
Since the Vikings drafted McCarthy 10th overall in the 2024 NFL Draft, every decision has been geared toward putting him in the best position to succeed -- including balking at the possibility of working with Rodgers.
An all-in move for Rodgers would have potentially given Minnesota a better chance at a championship this season, but it would come at the expense of McCarthy's development and future roster-building to aid him.
Vikings general manager Kwesi Adofo-Mensah admitted that McCarthy would have sat his rookie year regardless of how well he performed had he not gotten injured late in training camp.
However, it's time to kickstart McCarthy's development after a year lost.
The biggest question entering the 2025 offseason was not whether McCarthy would be prepared enough to play, but rather, would be physically ready after recovering from meniscus surgery.
The 22-year-old quarterback has put those concerns to rest in organized team activities (OTAs), prompting Rodgers to finally commit to signing with the Pittsburgh Steelers this week.
Years of speculation on whether Rodgers would fulfill the prophecy of following in the footsteps of his predecessor, Brett Favre, actually almost came to fruition this time around.
It was the closest the NFL has ever gotten to seeing it happen.
However, if all goes to plan with McCarthy, Rodgers-to-Minnesota may never be mentioned again.
