It's anyone's guess as to when the Pittsburgh Steelers will get an answer from top quarterback target Aaron Rodgers. The veteran is taking his sweet time making a decision regarding what he will do in 2025. He could be playing in the Steel City, for the New York Giants, or maybe even sitting on his couch at home as a newly-retired man. All options seem feasible, and he is an unpredictable character, as this saga continues to drag on over a week after the legal tampering period began. Some have also wondered if he is waiting for an offer from the Minnesota Vikings.
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Steelers Head Coach Mike Tomlin shakes hands with former New York Jets quarterback Aaron Rodgers after a game as quarterback Russell Wilson looks on in the background.
The possibility of Rodgers playing, and starting, for the Vikings in 2025 seems to have been dismissed. Respected NFL insider Tom Pelissero reported on X on Wednesday morning that the Vikings are sticking with their second-year signal-caller, JJ McCarthy.
The #Vikings have rejected multiple trade calls on J.J. McCarthy, telling other teams they’re moving forward with him as their quarterback, sources say.
— Tom Pelissero (@TomPelissero) March 19, 2025
The team plans to add a veteran. But they’re not pursuing Aaron Rodgers at this time. McCarthy now enters the offseason as… pic.twitter.com/oPf6DIvQpj
Rodgers could be a great player for someone like McCarthy to watch, but the veteran wouldn't be going to Minnesota to be a mentor and backup. The Vikings had a decision to make, and it seems clear now that Rodgers won't be able to follow the Brett Favre path. Now, all eyes are focused on the Steelers and Giants as the two top suitors for the future Hall of Famer.
Russell Wilson is likely to end up in whichever place that Rodgers does not, making it very possible that Pittsburgh's starting quarterback in 2025 is one of the two. Wilson may feel disrespected being the Steelers' second choice, but he does not have many options.
Gene J. Puskar / AP Photo
Steelers quarterback Russell Wilson points towards some of his teammates as the offense prepares to run a drill during 2024 mandatory minicamp in Pittsburgh, PA.
Steelers Could Soon Know Aaron Rodgers' Decision
It seems as if the Rodgers sweepstakes may be quickly coming to a close. That is, if the veteran officially realizes he cannot be a Viking in 2025. The hope is that he makes his decision very soon so the Steelers, and the entire NFL for that matter, can get along with the offseason and focus on the draft. The report from Pelissero is a fresh wave of information that could signal the end of the quarterback free agent wave.
The #Vikings continue to explore multiple options for a veteran QB addition, whether through free agency or a trade.
— Tom Pelissero (@TomPelissero) March 19, 2025
Meanwhile, Aaron Rodgers’ options are now focused on the #Steelers and #Giants. https://t.co/gvnyGyDTzp
With the Vikings officially making it known that McCarthy is their quarterback moving forward, it would seem a little silly for Rodgers to wait several more weeks before making a decision, but no one should fully rule that off the table. Two offseasons ago, he waited until nearly the draft to announce that he would like to keep playing, ultimately to then end up being traded to the New York Jets.
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New York Jets quarterback Aaron Rodgers stands in front of the media during his introductory press conference in May of 2023 after being traded to the organization.
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