It 'wouldn't shock' NFL insider if Aaron Rodgers picked this team over Steelers

Many have assumed that 42-year-old Aaron Rodgers will serve as the Pittsburgh Steelers' starting quarterback for one more season after the Steelers hired Mike McCarthy as their new head coach. 

Rodgers first had McCarthy as a head coach with the Green Bay Packers from 2006 through much of the 2018 campaign, and the two reportedly have a good relationship this winter. 

Before the Steelers replaced longtime head coach Mike Tomlin with McCarthy, a rebirthed rumor linked Rodgers with the Minnesota Vikings. During a Wednesday appearance on Pittsburgh sports radio station 93.7 The Fan, NFL insider Mike Florio of Pro Football Talk indicated the Vikings could soon reopen talks with Rodgers. 

Would it be a surprise if Aaron Rodgers picked Vikings over Steelers?

"There aren't many other guys out there," Florio said about the Vikings' quarterback options, per Josh Carney of Steelers Depot. "So, I could see Rodgers going to Minnesota. It wouldn't shock me if it happened."

Alec Lewis of The Athletic once shared that Rodgers and Minnesota head coach Kevin O'Connell "have known each other for over a decade" and "have stayed connected over the years." O'Connell seemingly has more power within the Vikings following the surprising dismissal of general manager Kwesi Adofo-Mensah. Additionally, it's no secret that some within the Vikings are disappointed over what quarterback and 2024 first-round draft pick J.J. McCarthy has given the club. 

Meanwhile, Rodgers seemingly flirted with the Vikings last offseason before he signed with the Steelers. It sounds like O'Connell may feel that Rodgers would be an upgrade over McCarthy. 

Vikings no longer worried about developing J.J. McCarthy? 

"I saw some reporting that they didn't want Rodgers because they didn't want J.J. McCarthy to learn bad habits," Florio added about the Vikings. "But I think now that O'Connell is in charge, you gotta look at the options that are available." 

O'Connell previously coached Sam Darnold of the Seattle Seahawks and Daniel Jones of the Indianapolis Colts, but neither is on track to be available for Minnesota in March for different reasons. As for Rodgers, the Steelers reportedly want to know by "early March at the latest" if he will re-sign with them or test free agency. 

Perhaps O'Connell and Co. will be willing to give Rodgers more time to make a final decision regarding his plans for next season.