Aaron Rodgers' next team remains a mystery as the new league year officially begins.
All signs seem to point toward Rodgers joining the New York Giants or Pittsburgh Steelers, but the Minnesota Vikings have regularly come up as a potential landing spot.
J.J. McCarthy hasn't played an NFL snap. Is he ready to lead a 14-win team with Super Bowl aspirations? The Vikings have spent big in free agency to close the gap at the top of the NFC. Adding a veteran quarterback like Rodgers could help them get there.
Brett Favre understands what that journey is like. After a Hall of Fame career with the Packers, Favre endured a disappointing run with the New York Jets before joining the arch-rival Vikings. Understandably, it didn't go down well with Packers fans, and it took years to mend the fence.
With his Packers successor potentially facing the same dilemma, Favre weighed in with some advice.
Aaron Rodgers shouldn't listen to Brett Favre's advice about signing with the Vikings
In an interview for Fox News, host Will Cain asked Favre whether Rodgers should follow in his footsteps and sign with the Vikings.
"By all means, sign for them. They've got a really good football team," said Favre. "They're loaded at pretty much every position. They made it to the playoffs last year. They've got a tremendous fan base, much like the Packers. If you get the opportunity, that's a good place to win."
From a pure football perspective, yes, Minnesota is the best landing spot. Kevin O'Connell's team only lost three regular-season games and has the roster to compete in the NFC. Upgrading from Sam Darnold to Rodgers could help them reach the next level.
Unfortunately, it's not that simple. A player who won four MVPs with the Packers would be joining arguably their biggest recent rivals. Favre understands that but doesn't believe it should prevent Rodgers from making the move.
"Love-hate relationship at its best. That's what makes it such a great rivalry. I got to see it from both sides. It made me appreciate both sides even more. If he gets that opportunity, why not?" Favre added.
Why not?
Where do we begin? For starters, Rodgers could expect the same reaction Favre received when he returned to Lambeau Field wearing Vikings purple. It's not often Packers-turned-Vikings players receive the warm welcome given to Aaron Jones last season.
While it would give Rodgers a shot at a Super Bowl, it would hurt his Packers legacy. Imagine he did win another ring. He would have one championship for each team despite spending the first 18 years of his career in Green Bay.
Many Vikings fans celebrated when Rodgers broke his collarbone at U.S. Bank Stadium. The Vikings even used Anthony Barr's hit in a video celebrating the linebacker's career. And Rodgers should join that team?
Rodgers understands how intense the rivalry is and has remained loyal to the Packers even after his ugly exit. That shouldn't change now.
Rodgers wants to win, but signing with the Vikings isn't the way to do it. Fortunately, it appears unlikely, but the four-time MVP shouldn't let his predecessor change his mind.