Given the way J.J. McCarthy played (when available) in 2025, the Vikings find themselves in the market for at least one notable quarterback addition. The manner in which the team goes about bringing in a new passer will make for an interesting offseason storyline. 
Both Sam Darnold and Daniel Jones departed in free agency during the 2025 offseason. The success both quarterbacks had with their new teams provided a stark contrast to McCarthy, who was sidelined for his entire rookie campaign. The former top-10 pick started 10 games in Year 2, struggling in a number of categories along the way. Poor play, along with various injuries, ensured the need for competition to be brought in this spring.
Head coach Kevin O’Connell and since-fired general manager Kwesi Adofo-Mensah both spoke on that subject after the season ended. Free agency and the trade market loom as avenues for the Vikings to make an addition. Ian Rapoport of NFL Network predicts (video link) a veteran will be sought out in the near future. The Athletic’s Dianna Russini also expects a move on that front (subscription required). A new deal for Carson Wentz – who took over QB1 duties prior to undergoing season-ending shoulder surgery – could be an option. Otherwise, several paths will at least be explored this spring.
As ESPN’s Kevin Seifert writes, “all bets are off” when it comes to how the Vikings will proceed. The firing of Adofo-Mensah came at an unexpected time, but many observers were not surprised a change was made in the wake of his QB setup not going to plan. Seifert’s colleague Jeremy Fowler notes Jones was a higher priority than Darnold last spring with respect to a Minnesota re-signing. The Colts wound up inking Jones to a one-year pact, but he is widely expected to remain in Indianapolis for 2026. Darnold, meanwhile, is one the books with Seattle through 2027.
McCarthy’s rookie deal has another two years remaining on it, with a potential fifth-year option to be decided on next spring. The Michigan product is certainly not a bust so early in his NFL career, but stabilizing Minnesota’s offense will depend in large part on much better play from under center. A short-term addition such as Aaron Rodgers or Joe Flacco could buy time for McCarthy to develop further. The trade market could involve other veterans such as Jacoby Brissett, who has one year remaining on his deal and is owed just $5.44MM for 2026.
It would be noteworthy to say the least if the Vikings were to consider drafting a new passer relatively early. The team does not have a full-time general manager at the moment, and Rob Brzezinski‘s replacement will not arrive until after the draft. A strong possibility exists for Minnesota’s next GM to inherit not only McCarthy but also another quarterback they had no role in acquiring. That would definitely make for an interesting dynamic between O’Connell and Adofo-Mensah’s eventual successor.
The Vikings are one of many teams currently projected to be over the cap for 2026. Several cost-shedding moves will be required as a result, and the amount of financial flexibility created will go a long way in determining which quarterbacks become affordable.
I hear that Kirk Cousins will soon be available 👀
I would bet on him retiring. When his name came up in trade discussions in-season last year, he said he would have to factor in his kids changing schools, and he would use his no-trade clause in his contract if necessary. I think he’s made enough money that he’s ready to just be a family guy now.
Cousins seems like the kind of guy who wants to keep it going rather than end on that kind of note. Not that the next note is likely to be great.
He wants to retire in Georgia where his wife is from…I see him resigning on the cheap with the Falcons or simply retiring
It’s easy to exercise a no-trade clause when a team cuts you.
NFL retirements now last 3-4 months before an “unretiring” these days, so he could retire but still come back lol
Being traded during the season in October November and playing December and January without choosing your destination (exercising your no trade clause) is different than signing in March (picking your destination) and moving the family end of May during the summer once kids are out of school.
Free agency starts March 111th
Training camp starts in July while rookie mini camp is early mid May.
Welcome back, Captain Kirk.
Mac jones
I don’t see the Vikings giving up significant draft capital for someone like Mac Jones when a player like Kirk Cousins is going to be available for nothing more than a contract. They still hope McCarthy will be successful–but they need a good safety net.
Significant is the key word. Purdy’s missed a lot of games lately and Mac kept them in it this year when he played. Probably take a day two pick and more.
Why would Kirk go back lol
How does this article not mention Kirk Cousins?
Because he’s trash
Make the trade for Mac Jones and sign another veteran or trade for Jacoby Briskett also.
Brisket and Mac are both staples of southern barbecue.
Didn’t Schefter just announce today that the Kirk is being let go eventually by Atlanta. And JJ has missed 25 games in his first 2 years
Look for it by March 12th if not earlier. March 13th is the key date.
Didn’t Schefter just announce that Kirk is being released by Atlanta? JJ has missed 25 games in his first 2 years and Kirk already knows KOC’S system
Geno Smith come on down
Geno is probably still safe in Vegas. He will not be counted on to start but they are going to probably keep him to back up Mendoza.
They have Aiden O’Connell….Raiders will likely move on from Geno Smith but his contract is pricey
A lot of Raider insiders are saying Geno has taken his last snap with the Raiders.
Please sign spaceball Aaron Rodgers. So we in steelers Nation won’t have to see him next year I n the black and gold.
Will Levis seems like a McConnell project
O’Connell.
It would be idiotic to consider Wentz, Flacco, Rodgers or Cousins. Just accept that McCarthy isn’t going to be the guy and try drafting again. Justin Jefferson clearly won’t want to stick around in Minnesota anymore and trading him can bring the draft capital you need to continue the rebuild as well as provide some cap relief.
It will never happen. The coach needs to win. If he has a season worse than this one next year he is gone too…
Draft Carson Beck
Trading Jefferson would be the dumbest thing they could do.
CEL- I heard Desmond Ridder was available. Or maybe Kyler Murray. I heard Murray was trying out some high heel cleats so he won’t have to use the step ladder to see over his offensive line. If he just didn’t have small, lady hands and keep telling everyone to “, Follow the yellow brick road,” he would be a great replacement for McCarthy in Minnesota.
“Man What Runs With the Football” it’s kind of sad how a supposed former career minor league baseball player in the 1970s/1980s at your age can make comments like yours thinking they’re funny.
Maybe the Vikings shouldn’t have rushed him to start before he was ready huh 🤔
Was he ever “ready”….he got carried by a star studded supporting cast at Michigan and promoted by outgoing HC Jim Harbaugh….the problem is/was that Vikings management, including the GM, owner and boy wonder HC, bought into it and thought they were getting the steal of the draft….he can”t be labeled a bust as yet but all the signs are there that he is not the answer….
Rodgers and Cousins have to be the top of the list, right? Both can come in and start pretty much immediately, and won’t get in the way of picking a new guy next year. Someone like Jones is going to want a longer term commitment for what probably would be a bridge quarterback, and I don’t think that Minnesota would do that over the possibility of having a one year starter and then re-trying the installation of a new QB.
If McCarthy remains with the Vikings, however, he will get a veteran mentor (something that the Vikings should have had to start the year this year) while he waits to compete for the starting job one last time at the end of his contract.
Unless Minnesota simply decides to scrap the McCarthy years and start over cleanly in this draft, Cousins or Rodgers probably gives the best combination of competing with their current roster and yet not spoiling the opportunity to obtain a rookie next year. McCarthy will still be on contract, so they could pick a player and let those two have a competition, or they could spend a high pick and start over from scratch. I would bet on McCarthy having a nominal competition with whomever it is anyway.
If Cousins or Rodgers or whomever signs plays exceptionally well, there’s a possibility that they could just stay another year with the rookie on the bench, of course, but in any case, Minnesota is not going to have any trouble moving on from those guys for whomever ends up being their franchise pick. I think that the younger, higher end bridge options are looking for more commitment than another one year deal, which is why the older vets seem more likely to me.
Plenty of options out there. I wouldn’t spend good draft picks in a trade to get someone like Jones though. Maybe a 6th for Geno. I’m sure he’s better than what he showed in Vegas last year. Cousins is toast, stay away. Rodgers raises your floor but that means McCarthy has no shot at starting and developing much. Wentz and Flacco aren’t getting you anywhere. Try to steal Willis from the Packers. Won’t be cheap and it may not work out but he showed enough potential this season to take a chance on him. A lot more ceiling than 90% of the other retreads out there.
Flacco
The receivers would like Flacco
Aaron Rodgers.
I watched every snap and I have to say JJ might be the most hated on QB of all-time given the brief appearance in the league so far. You give him every chance to continue improving (as he was doing last season) and make up your mind after that.