The Minnesota Vikings have nearly closed the door on pursuing Aaron Rodgers in free agency. General Manager Kwesi Adofo-Mensah used the term “right now” when discussing the team’s plans, which seems to open the door for J.J. McCarthy to take the reins. However, Adofo-Mensah’s refusal to give a definitive “no” on adding Rodgers before the 2025 season has kept the conversation alive among NFL circles and the media.
Rodgers’ former teammate, James Jones, weighed in, criticizing the Vikings’ current approach.
“Rodgers gives them the best chance to win in 2025,” Jones said. “You all know how I feel about Aaron Rodgers—he’s my guy. I believe he can take any team far. But I don’t want to see it. Go with the young guy. Let him play. You drafted him 10th overall. Let him play.”
Jones continued to voice frustration with the Vikings’ decision, stressing the importance of giving McCarthy the confidence to lead. “Give the young guy some confidence,” Jones said. “Let him know, ‘This is your team. We believe in you.’”
Adofo-Mensah addressed the Rodgers situation similarly, acknowledging that the team hadn’t pursued him due to the current circumstances, but didn’t entirely rule out the possibility in the future. “We’re responding to scenarios as they come, so obviously, things can change,” Adofo-Mensah said. “Right now, we’re really happy with our room and excited about our current plans.”
In response to whether McCarthy would be named starter, Adofo-Mensah added that coach Kevin O’Connell would keep communication open with Rodgers, but emphasized that no clear decision had been made.
Jones also shared a story from his days with the Green Bay Packers, recalling how former executive Ted Thompson helped boost his and Greg Jennings’ confidence by reassuring them that they wouldn’t be acquiring another player, which allowed them to focus on their development and play freely. “The best thing Ted Thompson did was tell us, ‘We believe in you,'” Jones said. “It was a confidence booster that helped us win a Super Bowl.”
Meanwhile, McCarthy revealed that the Vikings have yet to tell him whether he’ll be the starter, though he appreciated their approach. Adofo-Mensah downplayed the situation, saying he wasn’t sure a formal declaration ever happens.
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