Aaron Rodgers seemingly wants the Minnesota Vikings. Unfortunately for the veteran quarterback, the Minnesota Vikings do not want him. At least for now, according to NFL Media, which reported Wednesday that the Vikings are standing by 2024 first-round draft pick J.J. McCarthy as their signal-caller for 2025.
Specifically, the Vikings have rejected multiple trade inquiries for McCarthy, per Tom Pelissero, “telling other teams they’re moving forward with” the Michigan product as their presumptive starter. Minnesota still plans to add another veteran quarterback, Pelissero reported, but Rodgers isn’t among the options “at this time.”
The Vikings may not be completely ruling out a later exploration of Rodgers, according to ESPN, especially if McCarthy “gets reinjured or [demonstrates] a need for more development time” ahead of training camp.
This comes days after The Athletic reported Vikings decision-makers were discussing the possibility of pursuing Rodgers, who’s reportedly resisted stronger interest from the New York Giants and Pittsburgh Steelers in hopes of the Vikings emerging as a potential destination. Minnesota, meanwhile, only surfaced as a speculated landing spot once 2024 starter Sam Darnold signed elsewhere in free agency.
2025 NFL free agency live tracker: Full list of team-by-team signings and trades from the first week of moves Kyle Stackpole 2025 NFL free agency live tracker: Full list of team-by-team signings and trades from the first week of moves For Rodgers, a Vikings team-up makes sense: Besides the ironic Brett Favre parallels, going from the Green Bay Packers to New York Jets to wearing purple, he would’ve found an enviable setup in Minnesota, where coach Kevin O’Connell and playmakers like Justin Jefferson helped Darnold reach career heights in 2024. The Vikings just invested a top-10 pick in McCarthy, however, and have repeatedly endorsed him as a starting-caliber quarterback despite his missing all of 2024 due to injury.
The Giants and Steelers now register as Rodgers’ other obvious options for 2025, barring a retirement at age 41. Pittsburgh was previously considered a favorite to sign the former NFL MVP.
All indications are Aaron Rodgers is holding out hope the Minnesota Vikings might relive history and, just as they did with Brett Favre years ago, make him the next former Green Bay Packers star to suit up in purple. After discussing the possibility internally, however, the Vikings aren’t interested in granting his wish, with plans to roll with 2024 first-round draft pick J.J. McCarthy, who sat out his entire rookie season.
So where does that leave Rodgers, who’s already 41 and set to enter his 21st NFL season? There are some remaining quarterback-needy teams, yes, but do any of them register as home run destinations for a former MVP? The Vikings drew Rodgers’ apparent interest for a reason: They were one of the few clubs with quarterback uncertainty and a genuinely attractive infrastructure, boasting both top-tier coaches and playmakers, including star wide receiver Justin Jefferson.
Now that they’re seemingly out of the picture, instead preferring to add other veteran insurance for McCarthy, here are Rodgers’ top options for 2025, plus pros and cons for each:
Cleveland Browns Pros: They could still use quarterback help, even after adding Kenny Pickett via trade. Coach Kevin Stefanski is well respected. And they offer solid defensive support. Cons: They’ve recently had one of the NFL’s most dysfunctional offenses and still lack a sturdy line and skill group. They’re squarely in rebuild mode and could draft a signal-caller early as a result. Chances of Rodgers signing: Very low
Tennessee Titans Pros: The Titans have other proven veterans in the lineup, including Tony Pollard and Calvin Ridley. Coach Brian Callahan could use experience under center. And the AFC South is always wide open. Cons: Tennessee is set up to use the No. 1 pick in the 2025 draft on a quarterback of the present and future. New management probably prefers to just go that route rather than prioritize an aging rental. Chances of Rodgers signing: Low
Minnesota Vikings Pros: This would pretty much be a dream destination for Rodgers, from the elite coaching to fortified O-line to proven playmakers, including Justin Jefferson. Joining Minnesota also wouldn’t necessarily derail — just delay — the team’s long-term plans for J.J. McCarthy, who’s coming off knee surgeries anyway. Cons: Unlike a lesser free agent, Rodgers’ profile would make him the new face of the team, effectively postponing any McCarthy growth until 2026. It’d be uncharacteristic for the forward-thinking Vikings, who drafted McCarthy and took a flyer on Sam Darnold in part to offset years of paying big money to an aging quarterback. In other words, Rodgers needs the Vikings more than they need him. Chances of Rodgers signing: Low
New York Giants Pros: Rodgers is already familiar with New Jersey after two seasons with the New York Jets. Maligned Giants brass is motivated to win now. And Malik Nabers is an electric No. 1 receiving option. Cons: Staying on MetLife Stadium turf just to go from one bad New York team to another isn’t exactly a dream sendoff. The offensive line is still iffy. The team’s decision-makers are under immense pressure. Chances of Rodgers signing: Mild
2025 NFL free agency team-by-team grades: Vikings, Patriots, Commanders among top marks after first few days Tyler Sullivan 2025 NFL free agency team-by-team grades: Vikings, Patriots, Commanders among top marks after first few days
Retirement Pros: Rodgers doesn’t have a clear path to a full-time gig with a guaranteed contender. Calling it a career might prevent further muddying of his Hall of Fame legacy as a Packers icon. Cons: This might be Rodgers’ last shot to enter an NFL season with a starting job, which is something only 32 people possess in a given year. And he’s still got an NFL-caliber arm. Chances of Rodgers retiring: Decent
Pittsburgh Steelers Pros: Under Mike Tomlin, the Steelers are almost always in playoff contention. DK Metcalf’s arrival gives them two Grade-A pass catchers. Pittsburgh could be “all in” on a short-term veteran solution. Cons: Metcalf and George Pickens can be volatile. The Steelers operate an old-school offense, often to a fault. And getting over the wild-card hump would require outlasting the tough AFC North. Chances of Rodgers signing: High
There’s never been a better time to be an elite pass rusher. The top end of the edge rusher market has rapidly increased in the little over a month since Super Bowl LIX was played.
Nick Bosa was the only edge rusher with a contract averaging at least $30 million per year when the offseason began. The five-year, $170 million contract extension, averaging $34 million per year, Bosa received from the San Francisco 49ers right before the start of the 2023 regular season made him the NFL’s highest-paid non-quarterback. The deal had $122.5 million in overall guarantees and $88 million was fully guaranteed at signing, which were both records for a non-quarterback.
Bosa had slipped into a tie as the league’s second-highest-paid non-quarterback at $34 million per year last September when Dallas Cowboys wide receiver CeeDee Lamb received a four-year, $136 million-per-year extension. The 2022 NFL Defensive Player of the Year had previously been replaced as the salary standard bearer for non-quarterbacks by Minnesota Vikings wide receiver Justin Jefferson last June. Jefferson signed a four-year, $140 million extension, averaging $35 million per year with $110 million in guarantees, of which $88.743 million was fully guaranteed at signing. The $88.743 million was the most ever fully guaranteed at signing for a non-quarterback.
The movement at the top of the edge rusher market is just getting started. By the time the 2025 regular season starts, Bosa might not be among the league’s five highest-paid edge rushers.
Ranking NFC teams after first wave of NFL free agency: Eagles on top despite losses, Lions, Commanders behind Jeff Kerr Ranking NFC teams after first wave of NFL free agency: Eagles on top despite losses, Lions, Commanders behind The Las Vegas Raiders got the edge rusher ball rolling by signing Maxx Crosby to a three-year, $106.5 million extension, averaging $35.5 million per year, in early March. The four-time Pro Bowler has $91 million in guarantees where $62.5 million was fully guaranteed at signing.
The ink was barely dry on Crosby’s deal when Myles Garrett, a perennial first-team All-Pro, became the NFL’s first $40 million-per-year non-quarterback less than a week later. Garrett, who had previously requested a trade in February during Super Bowl week because he wanted to play for a championship contender, was given an offer he couldn’t refuse to stay with the Cleveland Browns. The 2023 NFL Defensive Player of the Year signed a four-year, $160 million extension running through the 2030 season. Garrett’s deal has non-quarterback records of $123,596,125 in overall guarantees and $88.8 million fully guaranteed at signing.
Garrett’s reign at the top of the NFL’s non-quarterback salary hierarchy was about as short-lived as Crosby’s. The Cincinnati Bengals made good on Director of Player Personnel Duke Tobin’s public pledge that wide receiver Ja’Marr Chase, who won the receiving triple crown in 2024 by leading the NFL in receptions, receiving yards and touchdown catches, would become the league’s highest-paid non-quarterback. Chase agreed to a four-year, $161 million extension, averaging $40.25 million per year with $112 million of guarantees, one week after Garrett got his deal.
player headshot team logo Trey Hendrickson CIN • DE • #91 View Profile Pro Bowl quarterback Joe Burrow campaigned through the media for the Bengals to do whatever was necessary for Chase, tight end Mike Gesicki, edge rusher Trey Hendrickson and wide receiver Tee Higgins to remain in Cincinnati long term. Hendrickson’s situation is the only one that needs to be resolved as Burrow has gotten his wish with everyone else.
Hendrickson is underpaid. He signed a four-year, $60 million contract, averaging $15 million per year in 2021 free agency, to join the Bengals. Hendrickson was given a one-year extension worth $21 million in July 2023 at the start of training camp, although he had two years remaining on his deal since he had outperformed his contract.
The four-time Pro Bowler made a trade request last offseason since the Bengals weren’t going to address his contract for a second straight year. He is scheduled to make $16 million in 2025, which is his contract year, on an $18,666,668 cap number.
Hendrickson led the NFL with 17.5 sacks and tied for the league lead with 83 quarterback pressures, according to Pro Football Focus in 2024. He is the fourth player in NFL history to ever have consecutive seasons with 17.5 or more sacks. The others are Mark Gastineau, Reggie White and J.J. Watt.
Hendrickson gave the Bengals a pay-me-or-trade-me ultimatum earlier this offseason. He was granted permission to seek a trade one day after Crosby signed suggesting that the Bengals weren’t comfortable with a comparable deal. The Bengals have been rumored to be looking for more than a first-round pick in return for Hendrickson.
After just simultaneously signing Chase and Higgins, the Bengals and Hendrickson have reportedly resumed negotiations. It seems a bit contradictory to have such a high price to part ways with Hendrickson yet balk at paying the going rate for a pass rusher of his caliber.
The NFL’s five highest-paid edge rushers signed contracts totaling $718.75 million for 22 years to average $32,670,454 per year. This number could be a relevant salary benchmark in contract discussions. It wouldn’t be surprising if Hendrickson increased his financial demands after the Garrett deal to where he views Bosa’s $34 million per year as his salary floor.
The Bengals may not be comfortable extending Hendrickson’s contract more than two years because he turned 30 in December. Hendrickson isn’t showing any signs of slowing down though. His 35 sacks over the last two seasons are easily the NFL’s most during this span.
player headshot team logo Micah Parsons DAL • LB • #11 View Profile Micah Parsons, who is scheduled to make a fully guaranteed $24.007 million in 2025 on his fifth-year option, has been talking about a new deal with the Dallas Cowboys since late in the 2024 season. The 2021 NFL Defensive Rookie of the Year has made some comments that could undercut his leverage. Parsons opened the door to giving a hometown discount and seemed to take a potential holdout off the table if there isn’t a deal done in a timely manner. He also recognizes that his views probably don’t sit too well with his agent, Athletes First’s David Mulugheta.
As long as Mulugheta is allowed do to his job the way he sees fit, Parsons should become the NFL’s highest-paid non-quarterback. Parsons has 52.5 sacks in four NFL seasons. He is one of just two players to ever record at least 12 sacks in each of his first four campaigns. The other person in this exclusive club is White, who is arguably the greatest defensive player in NFL history.
An important data point for Mulugheta could be adjusting Bosa’s contract for salary cap inflation. The salary cap has increased by 24.2% since Bosa signed. His deal is a little more than $42.225 million per year when factoring in salary cap growth.
Parsons’ inclination against holding out will be put to the test if last year is any indication. The Cowboys dragged their feet on signing Lamb and quarterback Dak Prescott to new contracts. Lamb didn’t get his new deal until August during the latter part of the preseason. Prescott’s four-year, $240 million extension to become the NFL’s first and only $60 million-per-year player didn’t come until September hours before Dallas’ regular-season opener.
Well, it appears he has a chance to return for the crucial Week 18 game against the Vikings, as he was designated to return from injured reserve on Wednesday. The Lions posted an estimated practice report, where Anzalone was listed as limited.
“Tomorrow’s (Thursday) gonna be a really big day for us to see where he’s at,” Campbell said of Anzalone, per ESPN’s Eric Woodyard.
According to a report from ESPN’s Adam Schefter, Anzalone has a “realistic chance” to play against the Vikings on Sunday night.
When asked about what Anzalone needs to do to be cleared, Campbell had a funny answer.
“He’s got to be able to do a handstand,” Campbell told Costa & Jansen with Heather, per Dave Birkett of the Detroit Free Press. “He’s got to be able to do a handstand press-up. And then really a version of a jumping jack on his hands.”
The Lions are slowly but surely getting healthier at linebacker, which has been one of the most injury-plagued positions. Jalen Reeves-Maybin made his return in Week 17, playing 40 snaps in his first game back. Trevor Nowaske and Ben Niemann have chipped-in to help, also.
It would obviously be ideal to see Anzalone on the field for the regular season finale, but the most important thing is having him back for the playoffs. We’ll be keeping a close eye on the injury report over the next few days.
For the third consecutive year, the NFL’s Pro Bowl is set to feature a series of games and skills competitions, including dodgeball and flag football. In 2022, the league opted to move away from the single game and instead introduced a new format to show off player’s individual skills.
Regardless of how the format changes, getting selected to the Pro Bowl is still considered an honor for players. To be named to the NFL’s all-star competition matters to players, teams and fans. And of course, every year there are also notable snubs as well.
The NFL revealed the AFC and NFC rosters for the 2025 Pro Bowl Games on “Good Morning Football” on Thursday, Jan. 2. The show aired on NFL Network from 8-10 a.m. ET.
The Green Bay Packers are headed to the playoffs and have had many players play at a Pro Bowl level. Three Packers were named to the Pro Bowl on January 2, and one may come as a shock to Packers fans.
Rashan Gary signed a four-year, $96 million deal in 2023. He had 9.0 sacks in 2023. This season he got off to a slow start, leading to many fans questioning his extension. However, he has found his stride and earned a spot on the Pro Bowl roster.
He had just 2.0 sacks in his first seven games of the season. He has 4.5 sacks in the team’s last nine games and has been playing much better. Since the Packers traded Preston Smith, Gary has one of the best pass rush win rates in true passing sets, according to 247 Sports’ Jacob Morley.
This is Gary’s first Pro Bowl nod. He tore his ACL in 2022. Since then, he has not been the exact same dominant force he was. However, he is showing flashes of that player again. In 2022 he had 6.0 sacks in just nine games, on pace for a phenomenal season. The former first-round pick has been a huge part of the Packers’ defensive turnaround.
Nick Bosa and Micah Parsons were named the Pro Bowl starters. Gary and Xavier McKinney will represent the Packers’ defense at the 2025 Pro Bowl. McKinney is also a first-time Pro Bowler and was the only free safety selected.
Boswell is having a sensational campaign, making 40 of 43 field goal attempts, including a whopping 12 from 50-plus. The Steelers kicker has also earned AFC Special Team Player of the Week and AFC Special Teams Player of the month twice each.
After a down season in 2023 that was marred by injury, many thought Heyward was on the decline entering the 2024 season. But he has proven that to notion to be dead wrong, as Heyward is having one of the best seasons of his career.
Heyward’s eight sacks are tied for the fifth-most in his career, and he ranks first, third and fifth among interior defensive linemen in Pro Football Focus overall (90.2), pass rush (86.6) and run defense grades (86.6), respectively.
In what has been considered a down year for him, Watt still ranks tied for fourth with 11.5 sacks. He’s also added 61 tackles, four passes defensed, six forced fumbles and two fumble recoveries.
Fitzpatrick can also be viewed as someone in the midst of a down year because he hasn’t been as productive as in years past, especially when it comes to turnovers. But few would argue against the notion that Fitzpatrick is still one of the best safeties in the NFL.
In recent years, the NFL has replaced the traditional Pro Bowl contest with skills competitions and a flag football game, both of which will take place in the week leading up to the Super Bowl.
The 2025 Pro Bowl Games will take place in Orlando, with the Skills Showdown on Thursday, Jan. 30, and the Pro Bowl Games Championship on Sunday, Feb. 2.
The NFL has released the rosters for the 2025 Pro Bowl. It seems that the Seattle Seahawks still have some work to do before they regain the respect of the league and the media. Only one Seahawks player made the cut for the NFC team: cornerback Devon Witherspoon.
For Witherspoon it’s his second Pro Bowl team in as many seasons in the NFL. He’s established himself as one of the most physical and impactful cornerbacks in the game, especially for one who spends mot of the time in the slot. While Spoon is a deserving All-Star, there were at least a couple of other Seattle players who should also have been included on the NFC team.
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DE Leonard Williams The biggest snub is of course the biggest guy on the roster, defensive end Leonard Williams, who’s been playing at a high level all season. In 15 games he’s totaled nine sacks, 26 quarterback hits, 15 tackles for a loss, three pass breakups and a pick-six. Williams had some real stiff competition on the interior, with Jalen Carter, Dexter Lawrence and Vita Vea making the Pro Bowl roster. They’re all great players but Williams has been more productive than Vea, who has six sacks, less than half as many QB hits and six fewer tackles for a loss.
WR Jaxon Smith-Njigba The other big snub is Seattle’s second-year wide receiver Jaxon Smith-Njigba, who’s become one of the game’s most-productive slot receivers. In 16 games he’s put up 96 catches, 1,121 receiving yards and six touchdowns with a remarkable 72.7% catch rate. The receivers who made the cut for the NFC are Justin Jefferson, CeeDee Lamb, Terry McLaurin and Amon-Ra St. Brown. It’s a pretty close call but we feel JSN should have been nam
In the wake of the Week 17 loss to the Kansas City Chiefs, multiple Pittsburgh Steelers defenders were very clear in their frustrations about the struggles on defense, and they appeared to hint that one or more players were specifically responsible.
One of those defenders who spoke out was defensive lineman Cameron Heyward, who seemed to hint that one player was to blame for the lackluster showings of Pittsburgh’s defense over the three-game losing streak.
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“Yeah, we talk about execution and we talk about communicating,” Heyward said. “If there’s somebody free when 10 guys do their job and one guy doesn’t, we are screwed.”
Well, as it turns out, Heyward was speaking in general terms and was not trying to place the blame on one player in particular, as he revealed on his “Not Just Football with Cam Heyward” podcast.
“Guys, I did not mean someone in particular. When I refer to this, I’ve learned this from Coach LeBeau over the years, it’s about 11 guys doing their jobs,” Heyward explained. “All I was simply saying is when you don’t have 11 guys doing their jobs and one guy doesn’t, or two guys or three guys or four, vice versa, you name it. But when you don’t have everybody doing their jobs, you are putting yourself at the risk of the offense.
“And to think we would zero down on one person, say, ‘Hey, you’re not doing your job and I’m gonna use the media to do that,’ like, I’m a grown man,” he added. “If I have a problem with somebody, I’m gonna go talk to ’em. And I’m probably talking to ’em on the field. We don’t have this thing where I’m trying to put somebody in a position where they gotta answer questions about that.”
Heyward is the second Steelers player to address what they said after the loss to the Chiefs. Safety DeShon Elliott was quite outspoken after losing to Kansas City, and while he didn’t regret the content of what he said, he regrets saying it publicly.
“I probably shouldn’t have said anything, maybe should have kept things in-house, just out of respect to the guys in the locker room and the coaches,” Elliott said, per Ray Fittipaldo of the Pittsburgh Post-Gazette.
“If anyone knows me, I’m a very truthful person. I don’t sugarcoat anything,” he added. “In the moment, I meant what I said, but I should have phrased it different or not said anything at all. If I felt that way I should have said it behind closed doors.”
Pittsburgh’s defense, which is the backbone of this team, has been disappointing to say the least over the three-game skid. The Steelers’ unit has given up 30 points per game in that span, and both the pass defense and run defense has been responsible.
The Steelers have to get this thing back on track or else it’s going to be a short trip in the playoffs. Pittsburgh will look to begin the process of doing that in the Week 18 battle against the Cincinnati Bengals on Saturday.
