In a phrase that would have seemed ridiculous when he was winning MVP awards just a few short years ago, Minnesota Vikings fans are hoping that Aaron Rodgers does not continue his Brett Favre impersonation by leaving the New York Jets to put on the purple and gold. This team is full steam ahead with J.J. McCarthy.
The two teams who have spent the most time and effort in courting Rodgers are the Pittsburgh Steelers and New York Giants. After over a week of not much happening, it appears as though we may finally be getting closer to a breakthrough.
Steelers insider Gerry Dulac is reporting that Rodgers is in Pittsburgh at the team facility to meet with the top brass. While Adam Schefter took care to mention that no deal is in place or close to coming to fruition, NFL Network's Tom Pelissero made note of the fact that Rodgers is spending time with Steelers coaches.
While the Vikings will likely keep their antennas out as they monitor what happens on the Rodgers front, it seems like Rodgers has never been closer to a deal with the Steelers and has never been further away from joining the Vikings. Fans will like to hear that.
Vikings QB target Aaron Rodgers visiting with Pittsburgh Steelers
It seems as though Rodgers wanted to play in Minnesota due to their exceptional support system around McCarthy, but it seems like the Vikings are only considering Rodgers as a "break glass in case of emergency" signing and by no means are making him a focal point on offense.
Rodgers can still spin it, as he threw for almost 4,000 yards and 28 touchdowns on a team that was in cartoonish levels of disarray and suffered from UFL-level coaching under Jeff Ulbrich. However, Rodgers brings a lot of noise with him that Minnesota is unwilling to deal with.
The Vikings need to sign a veteran backup quarterback, but there are plenty of low-cost options like Joe Flacco or Carson Wentz that could provide extra security and mentorship for McCarthy. Rodgers is not going to be as welcoming, which could make for an awkward situation in Minnesota.
Rodgers may end up having success in Pittsburgh or elsewhere, but the Vikings are correct in their decision to bypass the entire roller coaster he would force the organization to sign up for. Pittsburgh might be doing Minnesota a huge favor by taking him off their hands.