Aaron Rodgers Could Retire if Vikings Don't Make Offer: Report

Aaron Rodgers, the 41-year-old NFL quarterback and former MVP, might be hanging up his cleats if he doesn’t land a deal with the Minnesota Vikings, according to a report from The Athletic. While the New York Giants and Pittsburgh Steelers are reportedly interested in him, Rodgers appears laser-focused on Minnesota as his next destination.

The Vikings are in need of a veteran quarterback after Sam Darnold signed with the Seattle Seahawks last year. However, they already have first-round draft pick J.J. McCarthy, a former Michigan national champion, who is seen as their quarterback of the future. Rodgers, given his age, is clearly not a long-term solution but could serve as a short-term fix while mentoring McCarthy.

Veteran NFL agent Leigh Steinberg weighed in on the situation, calling Minnesota a "positive fit" for Rodgers. Steinberg noted that Rodgers could be the missing piece for the Vikings' playoff-ready roster while also helping McCarthy develop into a franchise player. "At best, Aaron maybe plays another year, maybe two years," Steinberg explained, emphasizing the importance of finding a team that needs a short-term solution and has a promising young quarterback.

Interestingly, if Rodgers does join the Vikings, he would be following the career blueprint of his Green Bay Packers predecessor, Brett Favre. After spending most of his career with the Packers and winning a Super Bowl, Favre was traded to the Jets before finishing his career with the Vikings. Favre himself has encouraged Rodgers to make the move, describing Minnesota as a "good place to win" during an interview on "The Will Cain Show."

"By all means, sign with them," Favre said, praising the Vikings' talent-heavy roster and passionate fan base. However, he couldn’t resist pointing out that Rodgers would have to face his former Packers team—a rivalry matchup that would undoubtedly be one for the history books.

While Rodgers still has some gas left in the tank, the decision to retire or play will ultimately hinge on whether Minnesota rolls out the red carpet for him. If not, NFL fans might have to bid farewell to one of the league’s most iconic quarterbacks.