2 Strange QB Options Floated for Vikings Offseason
Almost no matter what, the Minnesota Vikings will need an extra quarterback next offseason, insurance for QB1 J.J. McCarthy, who may or may not be viewed as the long-term starter when 2025 is over. And according to The Ringer, a couple of odd names might do the trick: Tanner McKee and Spencer Rattler.
Two weird quarterback options have been floated for the Vikings this offseason as possible insurance policies behind J.J. McCarthy.
Neither man is scheduled to be a free agent, but a trade evidently might be in order.
Tanner McKee, Spencer Rattler Mentioned as 2026 Vikings QB Options
Let’s hope those men are viewed as QB2s, not QB1s.
The Ringer Says McKee and Rattler as MIN QB Options
Sizing up quarterback options for the 2026 Vikings, The Ringer’s Diante Lee opined, “If they wanted to trade for (and then pay) a starting-caliber veteran quarterback, here’s a list of current players who would likely need to be cut, be traded, or take a significant pay cut: tackle Brian O’Neill, edge rusher Jonathan Greenard, tight end T.J. Hockenson, running back Aaron Jones, defensive tackle Jonathan Allen, and center Ryan Kelly.”
“In one offseason, a roster that currently has quality depth on both sides of the ball would likely become one of the league’s worst, and the Vikings might still be too cash-strapped to afford a high-end starter. That means Tanner McKee, Mac Jones, or Spencer Rattler might be the most realistic options to compete with McCarthy in 2026.”
Jones is not new to the 2026 purple quarterback fray. McKee and Rattler are fresh combatants.
Mac Jones, However, Could Work
If San Francisco even hints at entertaining offers for Jones — and they might not, because keeping him as the league’s best insurance policy behind Brock Purdy is entirely plausible — teams will absolutely pick up the phone. In recent seasons, Baker Mayfield and Sam Darnold have rebuilt their reputations with the right infrastructure. The early offseason chorus will insist Jones is next in line for that resurrection.
And frankly, the numbers back it up. With Jones under center in 2025, the 49ers own a 5-3 record, a detail that will hook quarterback-needy GMs before they even dig into the film. Through eight starts, Jones has stacked 2,151 passing yards, a 69.6% completion rate, 13 touchdowns, and 6 interceptions — a resume that looks even better when projected over a full season.
His 17-game pace sits here:
— 4,570 passing yards
— 28 passing touchdowns
— 13 interceptions
— 9 fumbles
— 69.6% completion
He also ranks as the NFL’s 10th-best passer in EPA+CPOE, outperforming names like Jalen Hurts and Justin Herbert. If the 49ers decide to dangle him, the market will be feverish.
What about Free Agency?
Trading for McKee or Rattler would be interpreted by fans in the vein of Sam Howell or Brett Rypien last offseason: “I guess that could work. Is this the best they can do?”
Those two would slide in as reasonable backup options behind McCarthy, but nothing to get ultra-excited about. McKee and Rattler simply aren’t very good.
So, if McKee and Rattler don’t move the needle, and Jones stays put in San Francisco, these free-agent passers will be easy to find and sign in March:
- Teddy Bridgewater
- Jake Browning
- Jimmy Garoppolo
- Joe Flacco
- Case Keenum
- Drew Lock
- Marcus Mariota
- Gardner Minshew
- Kenny Pickett
- Aaron Rodgers
- Tyrod Taylor
- Mitchell Trubisky
- Carson Wentz
- Malik Willis
- Russell Wilson
- Zach Wilson
Others, like Kirk Cousins, Will Levis, Anthony Richardson, and Kyler Murray, could also be gettable via trade for quarterback-needy teams.
Next 4 Games Decide What Vikings Need
The upcoming four games will decide what type of passer Minnesota will need in the offseason. Let’s pretend that McCarthy continues his 3-touchdown pace from last weekend — replicates it and morphs into a late-season stud. Well, the Vikings can probably get away with signing Gardner Minshew or Russell Wilson as insurance.
But if McCarthy’s Week 14 majesty turns out to be a mirage and outlier, Minnesota would be forced to explore QB1 competition in the form of Kyler Murray, Mac Jones, or even Aaron Rodgers.
It’s all up to McCarthy.
More from Lee on the Vikings’ QB Situation
Lee also remarked, “Most Likely QB Plan: Trade for an Inexpensive Bridge Quarterback. Minnesota didn’t just whiff this season by choosing quarterback J.J. McCarthy over Sam Darnold or Daniel Jones (who were both on the Vikings’ roster last year, left in free agency in March, and are a combined 17-7 with their new teams this season).”
“The Vikings may have buried their chances at contending over the next few seasons as well. McCarthy, who missed his entire rookie season with a knee injury, isn’t just having a bad season for a first-time starter; he’s having one of the worst statistical performances we’ve ever seen at the position, drawing comparisons to all-time busts like JaMarcus Russell, Zach Wilson, and Josh Rosen.”
The aforementioned Rattler ranks 20th leaguewide per EPA+CPOE, notably outpacing passers like Baker Mayfield and Caleb Williams.
Lee concluded, “And after suffering an ankle injury early in the season and concussion symptoms more recently, he’s appeared in just six of Minnesota’s 29 games since he was drafted. Typically, a team with playoff hopes and a potential bust at quarterback would just bring in a proven veteran, but the Vikings have no way of affording one.”
It’s Mac Jones, Tanner McKee, and Spencer Rattler, according to The Ringer, for 2026 Vikings QB options. Here’s to hoping the reality in a few months has more to offer.
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