Vikings Have Oddly Deprioritized One Roster Spot

Dustin Baker |

Mar 19, 2025

Remember in 2023 when Kirk Cousins tore his Achilles, and 10 months later, J.J. McCarthy missed out on his rookie campaign due to a torn meniscus?

Vikings Have Oddly Deprioritized One Roster Spot

In both situations, the Minnesota Vikings empowered Jaren Hall, Nick Mullens, Joshua Dobbs, and Sam Darnold to start at quarterback — usually with unforeseen success.

Well, as the Vikings’ depth chart stands on March 19th, the team has oddly deprioritized QB2, a rather strange circumstance for the franchise with a “quarterback whisperer” at head coach.

3 QBs … Out

Last week, Sam Darnold, Nick Mullens, and Daniel Jones left the Vikings for the Seattle Seahawks, Jacksonville Jaguars, and Indianapolis Colts, respectively.

They’re not coming back.

Thereafter, purple fans watched as general manager Kwesi Adofo-Mensah onboarded a litany of new, impactful free agents, including Ryan Kelly (C), Will Fries (G), Jonathan Allen (DT), Javon Hargrave (DT), Jordan Mason (RB, trade), Isaiah Rodgers (CB), and Jeff Okudah (CB) in free agency — in addition to re-upping with Aaron Jones (RB), Byron Murphy Jr. (CB), Theo Jackson (S), and Harrison Smith (S).

In short, three quarterbacks left the organization. Zero arrived as replacements while the team’s general manager systematically built the trenches at long last.

They Might Love Brett Rypien

So, what’s going on?

Undercover, Minnesota could totally adore Brett Rypien, last year’s QB4, so much so that he has just earned the QB2 post, and nobody needed to say it out loud.

The Vikings actually waived Rypien right before the 2024 playoffs to make room for Daniel Jones on the active roster but quickly re-signed him to the practice squad. His new “futures” deal ensures he’ll be a part of the equation, at least until the summer. Perhaps beyond.

Minnesota originally discovered Rypien late last summer when they waived Jaren Hall. Hall later joined the Seahawks, serving as QB3 behind Geno Smith and Sam Howell last year.

Here’s Rypien’s NFL resume to date:

Denver Broncos (2019–2022)
Los Angeles Rams (2023)
Seattle Seahawks (2023)
New York Jets (2023)
Chicago Bears (2024)
Minnesota Vikings (2024-present)

The nephew of former NFL quarterback Mark Rypien, Brett has appeared in 10 NFL games, starting 4 and tallying 950 passing yards, 4 touchdown passes, and 9 interceptions since 2019. He’s known for footwork and accuracy, while his arm strength and mobility have been considered weaknesses dating back to the 2019 NFL Draft’s lead-up.

Rypien has started four games in the NFL. Maybe that’s good enough for O’Connell, who is, again, a quarterback development sorcerer.

It Won’t Be Aaron Rodgers

ESPN’s Kevin Seifert tweeted Wednesday, “And told the Vikings are not pursuing QB Aaron Rodgers and don’t consider him an option as they move into the next phase of the offseason, as Tom Pelissero, leaving J.J. McCarthy atop the QB depth chart. Again, Rodgers-Vikings was never likely. But it has been discussed.”

And Pelissero of NFL Network posted to X: “The Vikings have rejected multiple trade calls on J.J. McCarthy, telling other teams they’re moving forward with him as their quarterback, sources say. The team plans to add a veteran. But they’re not pursuing Aaron Rodgers at this time. McCarthy now enters the offseason as QB1.”

“The Vikings continue to explore multiple options for a veteran QB addition, whether through free agency or a trade. Meanwhile, Aaron Rodgers’ options are now focused on the Steelers and Giants,” Pelissero added.

So, that’s that.

Rodgers twisted — rather fervently — in the Vikings rumor mill for a couple of weeks. He allegedly wants to play for Minnesota. But the NFL Network and ESPN reporting all but squashed the Rodgers vapor.

Therefore — you guessed it — the Vikings still need a QB2.

Extra QB Options

Believe it or not, although the quarterback market has dwindled, decent alternatives remain.

Via free agency, Adofo-Mensah and O’Connell have these QB2 options:

Joe Flacco
Trey Lance
Drew Lock
Ryan Tannehill
Carson Wentz
Jameis Winston

And from the trade market, as mentioned by Pelissero:

Kirk Cousins (Falcons)
Jake Haener (Saints)
Sam Howell (Seahawks)
Joe Milton (Patriots)
Michael Pratt (Buccaneers)
Anthony Richardson (Colts)
Aidan O’Connell (Raiders)
Kyle Trask (Buccaneers)
Clayton Tune (Cardinals)

Thankfully, this spot will be addressed one way or another, even if Rypien is “the guy.” Yet, until the QB2’s identity is announced, it will remain weird that the position is a seemingly low priority — with a rookie quarterback on deck to start, one with a busted meniscus.

Adofo-Mensah professed a few weeks ago that his team had “optionality” at quarterback, which most nodded and thought, “This is true.”

Now, his optionality is McCarthy and Rypien.

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Dustin Baker is a political scientist who graduated from the University of Minnesota in 2007. Subscribe to his daily YouTube Channel, VikesNow. The show features guests, analysis, and opinion on all things related to the purple team, with 4-7 episodes per week. His Vikings obsession dates back to 1996. Listed guilty pleasures: Peanut Butter Ice Cream, ‘The Sopranos,’ Basset Hounds, and The Doors (the band). He follows the NBA as closely as the NFL.

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