The conversation around Aaron Rodgers and the Minnesota Vikings is apparently not going away until the Vikings decide they don't want him. The Athletic reported he is hoping to sign with them, and keeping the Pittsburgh Steelers and New York Giants on hold while he awaits what the Vikings decide to do.
On the Vikings' end, the decision on Rodgers appears to be clear-cut and if they really wanted him it's fair to assume they would have signed him already. But they also haven't publicly squashed any of what's out there about them and Rodgers, which gives it life.
The Vikings need a veteran quarterback behind J.J. McCarthy, ideally one who'd be willing to be a backup and mentor a young starter. Rodgers does not fit either of those labels, and while Russell Wilson fits those labels a little better he probably has aspirations to start somewhere if he can.
The Minnesota Vikings can easily turn to Joe Flacco as a better alternative to Aaron Rodgers
Amid all the reporting about Rodgers and Wilson this past week, Joe Flacco surfaced out of nowhere with a visit to the New York Giants. That made people realize he is available, and confirmed he intends to keep playing.
On Saturday, Mike Florio of Pro Football Talk reported Flacco is in the mix for multiple teams who are looking for a veteran quarterback.
"Flacco recently visited the Giants. He’s in play, we’re told, for jobs with the Steelers, Browns, and Vikings."
The 40-year old Flacco has proven to still be plenty capable as he has become a well-traveled backup during the back end of his career. He literally came off the couch late in the 2023 season to lead the Cleveland Browns to the playoffs, as he won Comeback Player of the Year. He made six starts for the Indianapolis Colts last season, with the same passer rating as Rodgers but a better QBR, completion percentage and yards per attempt.
Beyond any skill he still has if he had to play, Flacco is as drama/distraction free as it gets and thus he is an ideal veteran backup. Florio suggested he is "content to wait" for the Rodgers-Wilson dust to settle, but the Vikings can easily say no to Rodgers and quickly pivot to a former Super Bowl MVP who is an actual fit for their quarterback depth chart.
