Aaron Rodgers has taken for much longer than anticipated to signal with a brand new workforce in free company, and the rationale for that has grow to be apparent in latest days.
Rodgers needs to play for the Minnesota Vikings, and the extent of curiosity is probably not mutual.
Firstly of free company on Monday, ESPN’s Adam Schefter reported that Rodgers had excellent offers to become the new starting quarterback of the Pittsburgh Steelers or New York Giants. Neither of these groups have signed a veteran quarterback as Rodgers continues to weigh his choices.
One principle on why Rodgers has been so deliberate along with his determination is that the 41-year-old needs the Vikings to get entangled within the bidding. It is probably not a bidding warfare that Rodgers is after, nonetheless.
In accordance with a report on Saturday from Michael Silver, Dianna Russini and Alec Lewis of The Athletic, Rodgers is “hoping to signal with the Vikings.” Minnesota is strongly contemplating the thought, however head coach Kevin O’Connell has not but determined if he needs to usher in the previous MVP.
The attraction for Rodgers is clear. The Vikings are coming off a 14-3 season, and O’Connell is without doubt one of the finest offensive minds within the NFL. The final two beginning quarterbacks who performed below the coach went on to sign massive contracts with other teams. Despite the fact that he’s effectively previous his prime, Rodgers probably feels assured he can succeed below O’Connell.
The Vikings let Sam Darnold stroll in free company, indicating they’re prepared to show their workforce over to J.J. McCarthy sooner somewhat than later. McCarthy, the No. 10 total choose in final 12 months’s draft, is working his manner again from a torn meniscus he suffered earlier than his rookie season started.
Rodgers feels he might maintain McCarthy off lengthy sufficient in Minnesota. He might even consider he can take the workforce additional into the postseason than Darnold did final 12 months when the Vikings had a disappointing loss to the Los Angeles Rams within the opening spherical.
Some have stated Rodgers is weighing retirement, however that appears unlikely. He might merely have one workforce on the prime of his want listing.