Pittsburgh Steelers quarterback Aaron Rodgers in a game against the Houston Texans on Jan. 12, 2026. — Ed Thompson / Steelers Now
Pittsburgh Steelers quarterback Aaron Rodgers admitted late in the year that he could have options to play elsewhere in 2026 if he decides to play. Could the Minnesota Vikings be an option? Minnesota was reportedly very interested in Rodgers last offseason.
Vikings running back Aaron Jones, who played with Rodgers in Green Bay, made a pitch to his former teammate on the Nightcap podcast with Shannon Sharpe and Chad Johnson.
“I like him in Minnesota,” Jones said on the Nightcap from Super Bowl Radio Row on Thursday. “That’s my dog. What he brings to a locker room, that leadership, it’s a standard. If you ain’t in your playbook, oh, you ain’t seeing the field–he’s going to test you.
“He’s going to throw some signals out there, and he’s going to see if you really care about it. As a player, I love that because I’m in my books. I’m making an effort. Like, I came from Utah from nothing. Like, so I had to earn that. And when you do it the right way, and it’s noticed, it’s refreshing.”
Per Kevin Seifert of ESPN, the Vikings could move on from McCarthy after general manager Kwesi Adofo-Mensah was fired last week.
Pittsburgh Steelers quarterback Aaron Rodgers in a game against the Baltimore Ravens on Jan. 4, 2026. — Ed Thompson / Steelers Now
With the Vikings having All-Pro wide receiver Justin Jefferson, Jordan Addison and Jones, Minnesota’s weapons could be enticing for Rodgers. He also has a close relationship with head coach Kevin O’Connell.
He also might run it back with Mike McCarthy. McCarthy has filled his staff with former Packers coaches, it sure seems like Rodgers could make one last run in 2026. But you never know with Rodgers. He could also just call it a career.
NFL ESPN insider Jeremy Fowler thinks Rodgers coming back to Pittsburgh is very realistic.
“Speaking of Rodgers, he has emerged from the 2025 season refreshed. One source I spoke to said Rodgers is in a much better place coming out of his year with the Steelers compared with his previous two years with the Jets,” Fowler wrote. “He greatly valued his experience in Pittsburgh, and teammates raved about him, both publicly and in exit meetings with the team. The Steelers have been open to a Rodgers return since early in the season, and I don’t sense that has changed. The Steelers’ combination of head coach Mike McCarthy and offensive coordinator Brian Angelichio makes the transition seamless.”
Mentioned In This Article: Aaron Jones Aaron Rodgers Minnesota Vikings Pittsburgh Steelers Steelers Steelers News