Steelers insider links Aaron Rodgers with NFC team not committed to its current quarterback

Long before veteran quarterback Aaron Rodgers officially signed a one-year contract to join the Pittsburgh Steelers in June 2025, he seemingly flirted with the Minnesota Vikings in free agency. 

The futures of Rodgers and the Steelers are uncertain after longtime head coach Mike Tomlin stepped down on Jan. 13. For a piece published on Tuesday, Steelers insider Mike DeFabo of The Athletic suggested that Rodgers could once again have eyes for the Vikings this offseason.

Would Aaron Rodgers walk away from Steelers to join Vikings? 

"It sure seems like he’s growing tired of the spotlight," DeFabo wrote about what may be to come for Rodgers. "My best guess — and it’s nothing more than a guess: A 40 percent chance he retires, 35 percent chance he plays for the Vikings, and a 25 percent shot he’s back with the Steelers."

For starters, a recent report shared that Rodgers said in December that he "probably" would retire at some point after his one-campaign stint with the Steelers wrapped up. If the 42-year-old simply no longer wants to endure the punishment that comes with playing in an NFL season, then chatter about his future is nothing more than a waste of time. 

That said, Vikings insider Alec Lewis of The Athletic mentioned last March that Rodgers and Minnesota head coach Kevin O'Connell "have known each other for over a decade" and "have stayed connected over the years." More recently, Vikings general manager Kwesi Adofo-Mensah declined to commit to second-year quarterback J.J. McCarthy as the club's 2026 Week 1 starter after McCarthy dealt with numerous physical issues and failed to impress with his performances this season.

Despite having lackluster quarterback play throughout the campaign, the Vikings managed to go 9-8. 

Could Steelers' next head coach try to re-sign Aaron Rodgers? 

The Steelers reportedly will soon speak with Mike McCarthy regarding their head coaching vacancy. Rodgers played under McCarthy when both were with the Green Bay Packers from 2006 through the 2018 season. 

At 62 years old, one would think McCarthy wouldn't want to take on a full rebuild. By convincing Rodgers to run it back with the Steelers for another season, McCarthy could try to keep Pittsburgh competitive through at least next January amid the club's ongoing pursuit for a long-term answer at the sport's most important position. 

One thing Rodgers would need to consider is the current states of the divisions occupied by the Vikings and Steelers. Both the Packers and Chicago Bears qualified for the playoffs, while the Lions went 9-8 this season. 

Meanwhile, the Cleveland Browns and Baltimore Ravens both fired their head coaches after they finished Week 18 with losing records. The Cincinnati Bengals won only six games this season.