The Minnesota Vikings had an opportunity to sign Aaron Rodgers this offseason, going so far as to make contact with the 10-time Pro Bowler and four-time MVP before the campaign opened, but passed in favor of letting J.J. McCarthy operate as QB1 virtually unopposed.
Rodgers, who is friends with Vikings head coach Kevin O’Connell, has not forgotten.
The former Green Bay Packers star did not delve too deeply into his communications with the Vikings before the season. He was similarly revealing about beating them in Week 4.
Aaron Rodgers: Beating Vikings ‘Definitely’ Means More
GettyAaron Rodgers #8 of the Pittsburgh Steelers looks on after beating the Minnesota Vikings.
Rodgers’ interest in the Vikings was well-documented, with the veteran securing his release from the New York Jets and leaving the Pittsburgh Steelers in limbo as Minnesota’s situation played out over the summer.
Reporters asked Rodgers directly if the Steelers’ 24-21 win was “extra special” since it came against the Vikings.
“Yes, definitely,” Rodgers told reporters on September 28. “Just leave it at that. Yes.”
Rodgers completed 81.8% of his passes for 200 yards, 1 touchdown, and 0 interceptions against the Vikings. He was also sacked twice in the international affair that took place in Dublin, Ireland.
His comments are very much in alignment with his sentiments about discussing the Vikings’ before the game.
“Kevin and I have been friends since 2008. We used to work out together at a little place called Fitness Quest 10 out in North County, San Diego,” Rodgers said during his media availability on September 24. “I’ve known him forever. We’ve been friends forever, and we keep in touch. He’s one of the guys I keep in touch with. Things never progressed … farther than catch-up conversations, and I’ll just leave it at that.”
Faith in J.J. McCarthy Blocked Aaron Rodgers’ Path to Vikings
GettyMinnesota Vikings head coach Kevin O’Connell looks on against the Pittsburgh Steelers.
Rodgers is now 18-12-1 against the Vikings in his career, but he would have followed the path of fellow former Packer and Jet, Brett Favre, to Minnesota. Instead, he got the cold truth from his friend, O’Connell.
“Aaron and I have known each other since he lived in San Diego at the time when I was playing the NFL. We’d work out together in the offseasons, built a friendship, rapport … We’ve kept in touch throughout seasons. So, there was an opportunity when him and I connected this offseason, just to kind of talk about, ‘Hey, what would that look like?’ We had a lot of great dialogue about it,” O’Connell said on KFAN in June.
“It always was centered around what was best, not only for the present in the Minnesota Vikings organization, but the future. And I was very honest about my feelings towards J.J., my obligation that I felt like we’re going to give him the best possible situation to begin and thrive on this NFL journey, and let’s see where it goes.”
McCarthy will run the scout team in London ahead of the Vikings’ Week 5 matchup against the Cleveland Browns. That is, if he is healthy enough.
The Vikings started Carson Wentz (350-2-2, 65.25% completion, 6 sacks) in Week 4.
Whether the Vikings would have emerged victorious with Rodgers instead of Wentz – or even McCarthy – under center will linger. That is especially true if both teams continue on their current trajectories throughout the rest of the regular season.
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