When the Pittsburgh Steelers and Aaron Rodgers take on the Baltimore Ravens for the final playoff spot in the AFC next weekend, it's safe to say that some members of the Minnesota Vikings will be watching that contest closely.
If the Steelers come out of the matchup with a win, they move on to the postseason, and their chance of re-signing Rodgers in 2026 would seem probable. But if the Ravens send Pittsburgh home with a loss and no playoffs next weekend, one would assume that the likelihood of Rodgers wanting to finish his NFL career elsewhere, if he doesn't plan to retire, would be high.
If the second scenario becomes a reality, all eyes will be on the Vikings as a potential landing spot for the former Green Bay Packers quarterback, whether Minnesota fans like it or not.
If Pittsburgh Steelers lose in Week 18, Aaron Rodgers to Minnesota Vikings rumors will begin quickly
Just continuing to roll with J.J. McCarthy as the team's starting quarterback in 2026 would be an easy path for the Vikings to take.
But venturing down that path again next season could potentially result in Minnesota firing multiple members of its coaching staff and front office if the team misses out on the playoffs for a third time in four years.
While the Vikings would love for McCarthy to return to the field in 2026 as a quarterback who is much more comfortable as a starter, just like Caleb Williams and Drake Maye have this season, that's far from a guarantee.
Unlike the Chicago Bears with Williams and the New England Patriots with Maye, Minnesota's expectations for the near future aren't low enough to just hand McCarthy the starting job again without adding any competition or at least exploring other options in the upcoming offseason.
If the Steelers suffer a loss next weekend, will Vikings head coach Kevin O'Connell run straight to the office of Minnesota general manager Kwesi Adofo-Mensah to immediately draft a contract offer for Rodgers, or will the team be interested in a different quarterback path next year?