Vikings Audition Popular Veteran QB

Dustin Baker |

Oct 10, 2023

Arizona Cardinals quarterback and former Texas Longhorn All-American Colt McCoy worked out with 1st- 8th graders at his performance Camp at Kelly Reeves Athletic Complex on Friday morning, June 16, 2023. Colt camp brought in 200 athletes to learn fundamental football skills. Colt McCoy later made his way to Dell Children s Medical Center North Campus to visit with sick children after his camp. © Ricardo B. Brazziell / Austin American-Statesman / USA TODAY NETWORK.

Minnesota Vikings QB2 Nick Mullens could soon hit injured reserve, and the team is evidently weighing all options behind Kirk Cousins.

Mullens is dealing with a back injury, and in the next few days, the veteran passer could be put on the shelf like teammate Justin Jefferson, who was announced as heading to IR on Tuesday.

Vikings Audition Popular Veteran QB

And if Mullens misses time, the Vikings will need quarterback depth, perhaps via Colt McCoy.

ESPN’s Field Yates tweeted Tuesday afternoon, “The Vikings worked out a group of 8 players today, most notably veteran QB Colt McCoy.”

Mostly known for his prolific college career at the University of Texas, McCoy is a free agent and could become the Vikings QB2 or QB3 before too long. McCoy last played for the Arizona Cardinals in 2021 and 2022.

10/27/07: Texas’ Jamaal Charles rushed for 296 yards and three touchdowns in the fourth quarter in helping the Horns defeat Nebraska 28-25 and celebrates after the game with QB Colt McCoy. © Ralph Barrera/American-Statesman file photo / USA TODAY NETWORK.

The McCoy tryout also hits as Vikings fans and NFL media speculate about Kirk Cousins’ immediate future. The NFL’s trade deadline is October 31st, and if the Vikings have a terrible 1-7 or 2-6 record by then, many believe the 35-year-old could be traded to the New England Patriots, New York Jets, or Atlanta Falcons for draft assets.

In reality, though, the potential McCoy relationship is likely a contingency plan for QB2 if Mullens encounters a prolonged absence. QB3 Jaren Hall is a raw rookie, and McCoy would be more trustworthy in a regular season game than Hall.

The Cleveland Browns plucked McCoy from the 3rd Round of the 2010 NFL Draft on the same day the Vikings drafted Everson Griffen. In 13 years, McCoy has appeared in 56 NFL games, starting 36 and tabulating 7,975 passing yards for 34 touchdowns and 32 interceptions. Teams led by McCoy have an 11-25 (.305) record in his 36 starts. He’s also tallied 582 rushing yards since 2010, with 2 touchdowns on the ground.

Here’s his NFL resume to date:

Cleveland Browns (2010–2012)
San Francisco 49ers (2013)
Washington Commanders (2014–2019)
New York Giants (2020)
Arizona Cardinals (2021–2022)

McCoy was teammates with Cousins for four seasons in Washington. At the University of Texas, McCoy banked 13,253 passing yards for 112 touchdowns and 45 picks in 53 games.

The Vikings should make a decision on McCoy in the next couple of days, as well as an announcement about Mullens’ injury status.

The Vikings take on the Chicago Bears this Sunday at Soldier Field and are 2.5-point favorites.

McCoy turned 37 last month.

Also Read:
NFL Insider Floats Wild Justin Jefferson Theory

Dustin Baker is a political scientist who graduated from the University of Minnesota in 2007. Subscribe to his daily YouTube Channel, VikesNow. He hosts a podcast with Bryant McKinnie, which airs every Wednesday with Raun Sawh and Sal Spice. His Vikings obsession dates back to 1996. Listed guilty pleasures: Peanut Butter Ice Cream, ‘The Sopranos,’ Basset Hounds, and The Doors (the band).

All statistics provided by Pro Football Reference / Stathead; all contractual information provided by OverTheCap.com.