Vikings legend shares wild Aaron Rodgers idea amid QB uncertainty

Per multiple in-the-know reporters, the Minnesota Vikings seem prepared to let quarterback Sam Darnold reach free agency in March even though he recently guided the club to 14 regular-season wins as 2024 first-round draft pick J.J. McCarthy recovered from the full meniscus repair that cost him his rookie campaign.

During Tuesday's edition of FanDuel TV's "Up & Adams Show with Kay Adams," Vikings legend and 2025 Hall of Fame selection Jared Allen explained why he thinks Minnesota should at least consider giving Aaron Rodgers a call once the Jets officially part ways with the 41-year-old this offseason. 

"I’m not opposed to that on a one-year stop-gap if you think J.J. McCarthy needs a little more time, because, let’s be honest, if you want your young quarterback who we are saying is the future of the Vikings, there’s not many better people he can learn behind [than Rodgers]," Allen said, as shared by Bridget Hyland of NJ Advance Media for NJ.com. "You look at the success Aaron Rodgers had sitting behind Brett Favre all those years, and now…so, If you can do it at a decent rate, the weapons are there."

Individuals such as ESPN's Dan Graziano routinely point out that "having a capable QB on a rookie deal allows a team to do other things" with its available salary-cap space. However, it's worth noting that Rodgers accepted a pay cut with the Jets in the summer of 2023 to help New York build around him. Perhaps he'd put pen to paper on a team-friendly deal to pursue a second career Super Bowl ring with the Vikings. 

Rodgers reportedly plans to play later this year, in part because he allegedly has "unfinished business to take care of" as an active quarterback. On paper, the Vikings could have the league's best overall roster among teams possibly looking for a bridge option at the sport's most important position this offseason. 

"I think [Vikings head coach Kevin O’Connell] has got a way of coaching people and getting the best out of them," Allen continued. "So, I guess the question is where does Aaron’s head lay on that, right? Is he willing to come in and be a functional part of this organization, be a functional part of that process?"

Certain stats suggest Rodgers can still be an ideal game manager for a playoff-ready club that simply needs a steady hand at quarterback. While it appears to outsiders that O’Connell is ready to turn to McCarthy, having a chat with Rodgers ahead of the 2025 draft about a short-term partnership wouldn't cost the Vikings anything.