New Backup QB Enters Vikings Rumor Mill
If the 2025 regular season kicked off tonight, the Minnesota Vikings would showcase two quarterbacks: J.J. McCarthy and Brett Rypien.
New Backup QB Enters Vikings Rumor Mill
Minnesota oddly hasn’t prioritized the QB2 position this offseason — unless it secretly adores Rypien — which many spectators predicted because McCarthy is just 22 and coming off a torn meniscus recovery.
Vikings quarterback rumors have fully ignited this month, even lassoing Aaron Rodgers, who evidently wanted to sign in Minnesota before credible NFL media all but ruled out the possibility.
So, we’re on to the next quarterback rumor for Minnesota — a trade for Tennessee Titans passer Will Levis.
The Will Levis Trade Theory
Courtesy of Bleacher Report, the Levis trade rumors have arrived, a swap for the Vikings’ 5th-Round pick in next month’s draft for Levis and a 6th-Rounder.
BR’s Moe Moton wrote, “According to NFL Network’s Tom Pelissero, the Minnesota Vikings aren’t interested in Aaron Rodgers. They may prefer an experienced quarterback who can push J.J. McCarthy for the starting job rather than someone who expects to start over him.”
“If so, a young signal-caller who’s played in a notable number of regular-season games would be an ideal addition.”
In theory, Minnesota would basically obtain Levis for late-round draft capital, per the BR idea.
Moton added, “According to NFL insider Josina Anderson, the Titans ‘would like to transition’ from Will Levis. If McCarthy has a setback in his recovery from two meniscus tears or a rough offseason, Levis can provide veteran insurance until the Vikings get their quarterback of the future ready to lead the huddle.”
On the whole, Vikings fans would probably prefer a backup quarterback free of draft trade capital, but generally speaking, few would bemoan a deal to obtain Levis. He has the raw toolkit to eventually succeed in the big leagues — perhaps if paired with Vikings skipper Kevin O’Connell, a quarterback whisperer, according to most onlookers.
Other QB2 Options
Minnesota’s quest for a backup quarterback is down to nubbins. These men are left as of March 24th:
- Joe Flacco
- Case Keenum
- Trey Lance
- Drew Lock
- Ryan Tannehill
- Mike White
Minnesota could also examine a low-risk trade for a player like Aidan O’Connell (Las Vegas Raiders) or Sam Howell (Seattle Seahawks) — similar to the Levis idea.
Tannehill and Flacco can be considered the frontrunners unless Minnesota is happy with Rypien.
Does the QB2 … Matter?
Vikings faithful are a special breed that is so accustomed to falling in love with a backup quarterback because that man somehow ends up playing. It never amounts to Lombardi trophies, though, so the fascination is peculiar. Unless one loves the actual process of a backup quarterback achieving against all odds, there’s no championship benefit per Vikings history. The QB2 always collapses in the end.
The best route might be to simply trust O’Connell’s judgment at QB2, even if Rypien turns out to be the sole option.
The quarterback whisperer didn’t earn that moniker on a whim.
Titans Poised to Draft Miami’s Cam Ward at QB
The Athletic‘s Zac Jackson tweeted Monday, “The Titans have their head coach, GM, team president and more from their football staff here at Miami. In case you wanted more of a tell, the Titans also have their in-house TV and website production team here for Cam Ward.”
There’s a decent chance that Ward to Tennessee is already an open-and-shut deal, meaning, indeed, Levis would likely head elsewhere via trade.
And that doesn’t hurt the Bleacher Report theory, as Minnesota is one of the few teams left without a dependable QB2.
Levis will turn 26 this summer.
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 MIN 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.
You must be logged in to post a comment.