The Minnesota Vikings have all but ruled out signing Aaron Rodgers in free agency. General manager Kwesi Adofo-Mensah included the phrase “right now” when addressing the team’s plans, which appears to be a positive sign for J.J. McCarthy.
However, Adofo-Mensah’s reluctance to completely dismiss the possibility of adding Rodgers before the 2025 season has kept the conversation alive in NFL and media circles.
Rodgers’ former teammate, criticized the Vikings’ approach, expressing strong opinions on the situation.
“Rodgers gives them the best chance to win in 2025, and everyone knows how I feel about him—that’s my guy. I believe he can elevate any organization. But I don’t want to see it happen. Let the young guy play. You drafted him 10th overall—let him prove himself,” Jones said on The Facility on March 28.
“To be honest, I don’t like what the Vikings are doing. Give the young quarterback confidence. Let him know he’s the starter, that this is his team. They need to shut down the Aaron Rodgers speculation and show their belief in him.”
Adofo-Mensah provided similar responses when questioned about Rodgers.
“Given our current situation, we didn’t feel it was the right move at this time. Ultimately, it’s also his decision whether he signs with another team—that’s up to him. I can’t say anything is 100% final forever; that’s just not how this job works. We have to adapt to different scenarios and new information as it comes, so things can always change,” Adofo-Mensah told reporters on March 26.
“For now, we’re very happy with our quarterback room and will continue exploring ways to improve it. But at this moment, we’re really excited about what we have.”
He also noted that Vikings head coach Kevin O’Connell would remain in contact with Rodgers.
James Jones Urges Vikings to Close Door on Aaron Rodgers, Give J.J. McCarthy ‘Confidence’
Jones shared a story from his time with the Green Bay Packers, particularly as a teammate of Aaron Rodgers.
“One of the best things [former Packers executive] Ted Thompson did for me and Greg Jennings was instilling confidence in us,” Jones recalled. “Back then, Brett Favre was pushing for Randy Moss to join the team, but Ted Thompson came to me and Greg and said, ‘Hey, I believe in you guys. I drafted you, and I’m not bringing him in.’ It was a huge confidence boost. Not that we became Randy Moss, but it meant a lot.”
“We ended up winning a Super Bowl, but more than that, just hearing your GM say, ‘We’re not bringing in another guy—this is your time. We drafted and developed you, now go play football,’ made all the difference.”
Meanwhile, McCarthy revealed that the Vikings hadn’t explicitly told him he would be the starter but said he appreciated their approach.
Adofo-Mensah downplayed the discussion, suggesting that such guarantees aren’t typically made.
