The list of potential landing spots for Aaron Rodgers appeared to shrink further on Saturday with the news that the Minnesota Vikings had traded for Sam Howell of the Seattle Seahawks.
The trade sees the Vikings take Howell and the No. 172 pickwith the Seahawks taking pick No. 142. Howell spent 2024 as the backup in Seattle but he has been an NFL starter in the past, starting all 17 games for the Washington Commanders in 2023 and finishing with more attempted passes than any other QB in the league.
He joined the Seahawks one year ago but made only two appearances. Now, he looks set to be the No. 2 again behind rookie J. J. McCarthywho missed the entirety of last season with a knee injury. With Brett Rypien also on the roster, the Vikings’ quarterback room looks pretty complete.
What next for Aaron Rodgers?
It had been assumed that Rodgers’s future would be secured before the 2025 NFL Draft, giving interested parties time to reassess. However the four-time NFL Most Valuable Player is still without a team and looks to have lost a potential suitor.
Earlier in the offseason the Vikings were regarded as major contenders for Rodgers’ signature. Vikings GM Kwesi Adolfo-Mensah revealed that the veteran QB had “a lot of conversations” with head coach Kevin O’Connell.
It looks increasingly like Rodgers will have to settle for a backup role if he is to remain in the NFL for the 2025 season. The veteran play-caller has not been able to find a new home away from the Jets and now, with rosters looking increasingly final, he may have missed his chance.
Nevertheless, speaking on The Pat McAfee Show last week he revealed that he’s still undecided about his future. “I’m open to anything,” Rodgers explained, “and attached to nothing.”
“I have a couple people in my inner, inner circle who are battling some difficult stuff. So, I have a lot of things that are taking my attention and have since the beginning of January away from football,” he added. “That’s where I have been focusing most of my attention on. To make a commitment to a team is a big thing, whether you are a first-year player or 20-year vet.”
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