Aaron Rodgers in the ugly Minnesota Vikings purple? It hurts to even think about.
Yet there's a world where it could still happen. Rodgers' playoff hopes are fading fast with the Pittsburgh Steelers, and if one team could tempt him to reconsider retirement, it might just be Kevin O'Connell's Vikings, where he could throw to Justin Jefferson.
Some Vikings fans think it's inevitable, and now even a former player is pushing for it. Ironically, almost poetically, that former player is Anthony Barr.
Anthony Barr believes the Vikings should sign Aaron Rodgers, and it's painfully ironic
Barr posted on his X account recently, suggesting the Vikings should sign Rodgers, a move that would allow J.J. McCarthy to sit behind him for a year.
Yes, that's the same Anthony Barr who infamously broke Rodgers' collarbone at U.S. Bank Stadium, a moment many Vikings fans celebrated. Now, Barr is pushing for his former team to sign Rodgers. The irony.
But let's be honest: It makes sense. And it probably should've happened this past offseason.
Various reports indicated that Rodgers had interest in signing with the Vikings, where he could've made a Super Bowl push while also mentoring McCarthy. He'd have arguably the league's best receiving corps, highlighted by Justin Jefferson, an elite play-caller in Kevin O'Connell, and would've been reunited with Aaron Jones.
Minnesota instead pushed forward with McCarthy, a decision that looks worse by the week. The second-year passer has completed a woeful 54.1 percent of his passes for 929 yards, six touchdowns, and 10 interceptions.
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The Vikings' quarterback decision wasted a potential playoff season for a team that won 14 games in 2024 and then spent big money on several players 30 or older, including Jonathan Allen and Javon Hargrave. This isn't supposed to be a rebuilding team.
And that's why Rodgers to Minnesota makes sense. The Vikings still have the core of a team ready to compete, but McCarthy's disastrous season leaves them with uncertainty at the most important position.
Would Rodgers consider playing one more year to go all-in with the Vikings? He's having a fine season in Pittsburgh, throwing for 2,086 yards, 19 touchdowns, and seven interceptions in a 6-5 start.
It would, though, be the ultimate heel turn. Packers fans still love Rodgers, which was apparent during the build-up to the Steelers game in Week 8. But ending his career in Minnesota, just as Brett Favre did, would test their patience.
The speculation will continue to grow once the offseason begins. For now, we can enjoy the irony of Barr calling for the Vikings to sign the four-time MVP.