Last week, the Athletic's Mike Silver, a Bay Area sportswriter who has been close to the veteran quarterback throughout his career, reported that Rodgers was "hoping to sign with the Vikings" but head coach Kevin O'Connell will ultimately decide whether the team will acquire him. McCarthy, who was selected by Minnesota at No. 10 overall in the 2024 NFL Draft months after leading Michigan to a College Football Playoff and undefeated season, suffered a season-ending ACL injury during the first preseason game of his rookie season.

Rodgers spent the first 18 seasons of his 20-year NFL career with the Vikings NFC North Division rival Green Bay Packers and has a 17-12-1 record against the franchise. The four-time MVP spent the past two seasons with the New York Jets prior to the team's decision to move on from him earlier this month, though he is still signed through 2025.

"Last week we met with Aaron and shared that our intention was to move in a different direction at quarterback," said newly hired head coach Aaron Glenn and general manager Darren Mougey in a statement released on the Jets' official website. "It was important to have this discussion now to provide clarity and enable each of us the proper time to plan for our respective futures. We want to thank him for the leadership, passion, and dedication he brought to the organization and wish him success moving forward."

"I personally want to thank Aaron for his time at the New York Jets," said Chairman Woody Johnson. "His arrival in 2023 was met with unbridled excitement and I will forever be grateful that he chose to join us to continue his Hall of Fame career. From day one, he embodied all that it meant to be a New York Jet, embraced our fans, and immersed himself in our city. That is what I will remember most when I look back at his time here. He will always be welcome, and I wish him only the best in whatever he chooses to do next."

Rodgers was acquired in a trade with the Packers in 2023 and pegged to be the missing piece for a Jets team that hadn't made a postseason appearance since 2010. The 41-year-old suffered a season-ending Achilles injury during his first drive with New York in 2023 and experienced one of the worst seasons of his career in 2024, leading the team to a 5-12 record.

The Jason Smith Show with Mike Harmon