The Minnesota Vikings are fully committed to building their roster around a striking quarterback as their starting quarterback while temporarily setting aside the possibility of signing another star —though they haven’t completely ruled it out.
General manager Kwesi Adofo-Mensah confirmed Wednesday that the team had extensive discussions about Rodgers, the four-time NFL MVP recently released by the New York Jets.
“A player of his caliber is always worth considering,” Adofo-Mensah said. “But at that moment, we felt confident in our direction.”
The Vikings have planned all along to entrust J.J. McCarthy with the offense this season, despite the unexpected injury that sidelined him as a rookie and allowed Sam Darnold to step in.
“When you invest significant resources in drafting J.J., that’s the intended outcome,” Adofo-Mensah said. “That’s our focus.”
Rodgers’ interest in the Vikings made him an intriguing possibility, even at 41. Head coach Kevin O’Connell, who has a prior relationship with Rodgers, had extensive discussions with him about the team’s plans.
“Given our current situation, we didn’t believe it was the right move,” Adofo-Mensah said, marking the Vikings’ first public comments since free agency began two weeks ago.
A major factor was the financial impact. McCarthy’s rookie contract provides crucial salary cap flexibility, which would be reduced by signing Rodgers to a larger deal. Last season, the Vikings paid Darnold $10 million as a temporary option, but Rodgers’ contract would demand a much higher commitment.
Still, the Vikings haven’t completely ruled out reconsidering if concerns arise about McCarthy’s health or progress—assuming Rodgers hasn’t signed elsewhere, such as with the Pittsburgh Steelers.
“You can never say anything is 100% set in stone,” Adofo-Mensah said. “We adapt to new information and changing situations, but we’re very comfortable with our quarterback room.”
McCarthy, the 10th overall pick in the 2024 draft, told FanDuel TV’s Up and Adams Show that the Vikings haven’t officially named him the starter.
“I’m glad they haven’t,” McCarthy said. “I want to earn it every day. I don’t want it handed to me.”
He also stated that he feels fully recovered from knee surgery for a torn meniscus, which aligns with the team’s medical evaluations.
“From the draft process to practices and now the offseason, he has consistently met and exceeded expectations,” Adofo-Mensah said.
While the quarterback depth chart remains somewhat fluid, with Brett Rypien as the only other QB on the roster, the Vikings have significantly strengthened other key areas.
They upgraded both lines by adding defensive tackles Jonathan Allen and Javon Hargrave, center Ryan Kelly, and right guard Will Fries. In the secondary, Byron Murphy was re-signed, while Isaiah Rodgers and Jeff Okudah were brought in to replace outgoing veterans. They also restructured safety Harrison Smith’s contract for his 14th NFL season.
On offense, the Vikings re-signed Aaron Jones and acquired Jordan Mason via trade to reinforce the running back group. They also added Rondale Moore to their receiving corps.
“We wanted to construct a team that can support a young quarterback who competes every day,” Adofo-Mensah said.
Injuries were a challenge last season, with key players like Allen, Hargrave, Kelly, Fries, Okudah, and Moore missing significant time. Allen, Hargrave, and Kelly are also in their 30s.
“We’re always looking for value where we can,” Adofo-Mensah said.
As Adofo-Mensah enters the final year of his contract, he has yet to receive an extension, unlike O’Connell, who was extended two months ago. However, Adofo-Mensah remains unfazed.
“I don’t spend a second worrying about that,” he said. “My focus is on improving this team, beating division rivals, making the playoffs, and pushing even further.”
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