Aaron Rodgers is still available in free agency, but the Minnesota Vikings appear to prefer to see what J.J. McCarthy can do in the 2025 NFL season. And despite knowing what A-Rod could bring to the table, Aaron Jones doesn’t disagree with the team’s decision.
During an appearance on NFL Network‘s “Good Morning Football” on Thursday, the star running back made a strong statement about McCarthy, letting the Vikings know that the quarterback position is in safe hands.
“J.J.’s a winner,” Jones said, via Pro Football Talk. “If you look from high school through his time in college, he’s lost one career game. He came in [and] in his short time there, he was balling.
“The preseason, he ended up getting hurt, unfortunately. But I think it might’ve been a quarterback battle if he didn’t get hurt. He’s different. He’s a competitor. He wants to be great and he’s hungry. So, I think you’ll see it when he steps on the field.”
Aaron Jones believes McCarthy is the right QB for the Vikings
The Vikings used a first-round pick last year to get McCarthy, who was selected 10th overall in the 2024 NFL Draft. Unfortunately, the quarterback suffered a torn meniscus in his right knee before Week 1, forcing him to spend his entire rookie season on the sidelines.
Jones didn’t get to spend much time with McCarthy on the field yet, but the running back didn’t seem to need it to tell how great the second-year QB will be for the Vikings.
“Just the way — he’s very methodical in everything he does,” Jones said. “So, attention to detail, he’s fully dove in and then some. I’m excited to even be in the backfield with him, take some handoffs, and have him throw it to me, too.”
Vikings stick to McCarthy instead of pursuing Rodgers
Jones is not the only one in Minnesota who’s sold on McCarthy’s potential, with head coach Kevin O’Connell also excited to work with him this year. That confidence is very telling, considering that Rodgers is still in the open market.
And if there’s someone who knows how great the 41-year-old is, that’s Jones. The running back spent his first six years in the NFL alongside Rodgers, who was named MVP in two of his seasons with Jones.
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Even so, the feeling in Minnesota is that McCarthy is their guy. Pittsburgh appears to be the only landing spot left for Rodgers, who already received a strong message from a Steelers star who’d welcome him with open arms.