Minneapolis (AP) — After declining to offer Aaron Rodgers a deal, the Minnesota Vikings have decided to stick with J.J. McCarthy as their starting quarterback this season, according to a source familiar with the situation.
The individual talked to The Associated Press on the condition of anonymity because the Vikings did not publicly discuss their plans.
Rodgers was widely reported to be interested in joining his former rival from his time with the Green Bay Packers, and Vikings officials took their time considering the risky move of bringing in a 41-year-old player whose ability, accomplishments, and personality have the potential to change a locker room dynamic that, by all accounts, contributed to Minnesota’s 14-win finish last season.
The Vikings have also been able to spend heavily in free agency this month due to the flexibility provided by a quarterback on a rookie contract, mostly to strengthen their defensive and offensive lines. They still need someone veteran to assist support McCarthy and fill in if he gets hurt again, but for the bridge position they had planned for Darnold.
The Vikings wanted former New York Giants starter Daniel Jones back, but he signed with the Indianapolis Colts for a better chance to earn the starting job. Nick Mullens, Minnesota’s primary backup for the last three seasons, has signed with the Jacksonville Jaguars.
Brett Rypien, the only other quarterback on the roster, has made four career starts in six years in the league.
Joe Flacco and Ryan Tannehill are currently the most proven available quarterbacks on the market, but the Vikings could make a trade for one or find someone else later in the offseason as teams adjust their rosters after the draft, or even during training camp, when health and performance more clearly dictate depth charts around the league.
They could always revisit the Rodgers option, especially if McCarthy suffered a setback in the spring or summer.
The Pittsburgh Steelers are the most obvious contender with a quarterback opening after Russell Wilson became a free agent and Justin Fields left for the Jets, but if Rodgers isn’t in a hurry to decide whether to play in his 21st NFL season, they may opt for certainty over waiting and sign someone else.
Since the end of last season, the Vikings have expressed complete trust in McCarthy and his health.
“You want to be able to go out there and let his talent take over, so all of these steps, all of the learning he’s done this year will allow him to do that,” general manager Kwesi Adofo-Mensah said at the NFL scouting combine last month. “We are excited about his makeup. He’s been all we hoped he’d be, and we’re optimistic about his future.”
On Wednesday, the Vikings added depth to McCarthy’s wide receiver corps by agreeing to terms with free agent Rondale Moore. During his three seasons with the Arizona Cardinals, the 2021 second-round selection pick caught 135 passes for 1,201 yards and carried for 249 yards.
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