During the NFL offseason, there were rumors swirling between Aaron Rodgers and the Vikings.
Minnesota ultimately did not sign the ex-Jet quarterback, moving forward with second-year quarterback J.J. McCarthy.
Now with Rodgers heading to the Steelers, Vikings coach Kevin O’Connell gave a little peek behind the conversations with the 41-year-old future Hall of Famer in the offseason.
“Aaron and I have known each other since he lived in San Diego at the time when I was playing in the NFL. We work out together in the offseasons. Built a friendship, a rapport anytime we’ve kept in touch throughout seasons,” O’Connell said while on KFAN1003 on Friday.
“So, there was an opportunity when him and I connected, just to kinda talk about, ‘Hey, what would that look like…’ We had a lot of great dialogue about it. But it always centered around what was best not only for the present Minnesota Vikings organization but the future. I was very honest about my feelings towards J.J. My obligation that I felt like we were going to give him the best possible situation to begin and thrive on this NFL journey and let’s see where it goes.
“And we stayed in touch and had some communication, but I understand it’s Aaron Rodgers. This is a Hall of Fame quarterback and a guy that you mention his name and it’s probably going to be a popular thing, probably a good thing for anybody holding a microphone. I understand that. Out of respect for our friendship, that’s about as much as really has kinda happened. I still talk to him, and the next time I talk to him it’s going to be the same old same old. He’s different than people probably think but I think that’s all a part of it this day in age.”
With Sam Darnold under center, the Vikings had a successful season in 2024, going 14-3, but they ended lost in the wild-card round to the Rams, 27-9.
Darnold left for the Seahawks and a three-year, $100.5 million contract this offseason, leaving the Vikings to decide between chasing a free agent like Rodgers or going with McCarthy.
The Vikings ultimately put faith in the former No. 10 overall pick in 2024, even though McCarthy missed last season due to a preseason knee injury.
On Thursday, Rodgers agreed to a one-year deal with the Steelers pending a physical.
Rodgers landed in Pittsburgh on Saturday, according to WTAE, to sign his contract in order to participate in Tuesday’s mandatory minicamp.