An anonymous NFL scout believes the presence of superstar wide receiver Justin Jefferson is a big reason why quarterback Aaron Rodgers reportedly had interest in joining the Minnesota Vikings before ultimately landing with the Pittsburgh Steelers this offseason.
In ESPN NFL insider Jeremy Fowler’s poll of league executives, coaches and scouts, Jefferson was voted as the No. 2 wideout in the league behind only Cincinnati Bengals star Ja’Marr Chase.
One AFC scout told Fowler: “No wonder why Aaron Rodgers wanted to play [in Minnesota]. He would get one of the best playcallers [Kevin O’Connell], he plays in a dome and he gets Jefferson.”
Rodgers was released by the New York Jets this offseason after only two seasons with the organization, leading to questions about whether the future Hall of Famer would perhaps retire.
However, SI.com’s Albert Breer reported in April that Rodgers contacted the Vikings and pitched them on the idea of signing him to a one-year deal and attempting to make a run at the Super Bowl.
Rodgers reportedly also said he would be a “willing mentor” for J.J. McCarthy, who was the Vikings first-round pick in 2024.
It was a proposal worth considering since the Vikings lost their 2024 starting quarterback, Sam Darnold, to the Seattle Seahawks in free agency.
Instead, the Vikes decided to move forward with McCarthy as the starter in hopes that he will hit the ground running after missing his entire rookie year due to a knee injury.
There is inherent risk in doing that from the Vikings’ perspective since they have a Super Bowl-caliber roster, as evidenced by going 14-3 last season.
Rodgers is a four-time NFL MVP and one-time Super Bowl champion from his days with the Green Bay Packers, and there was a time when a contending team signing him would have been a no-brainer move.
However, Rodgers is now 41 years of age, he tore his Achilles in 2023 and he went just 5-12 as the Jets’ starter last season.
Perhaps Rodgers could have recaptured some of his past magic in Minnesota with Jefferson, wide receiver Jordan Addison, tight end T.J. Hockenson and running back Aaron Jones surrounding him, but that is far from a guarantee.
Rodgers instead had to settle for signing with a Steelers team that has made two straight playoff appearances and four in the past five years, but hasn’t won a playoff game since the 2016 season.
As for the Vikings, they are undoubtedly hopeful that Jefferson can bring the best out of McCarthy, just as the four-time Pro Bowler and two-time First Team All-Pro previously did for Kirk Cousins and Darnold.