Vikings Backup QB Market Shrinks to 3
The Minnesota Vikings do not have a sense of urgency to find a backup quarterback in 2025.
Vikings Backup QB Market Shrinks to 3
Either that or the franchise truly adores current QB2 Brett Rypien.
J.J. McCarthy is set to take the reins of QB1 in September, and most onlookers find it wise for Minnesota to have an experienced QB2 behind him, though through a month of free agency, the Vikings are in no rush to add such a player.
And the market dwindled on Friday morning.
Joe Flacco to the Browns
ESPN’s Adam Schefter tweeted, just 13 days before the NFL Draft when the Cleveland Browns are scheduled to pick second overall: “Reunion: the Cleveland Browns and veteran quarterback Joe Flacco reached agreement today on a one-year, $4 million deal worth up to $13 million with incentives, his agency JL Sports told ESPN. Flacco now will return to Cleveland, where he won the NFL’s Comeback Player of the Year award in 2023.”
“Flacco also spoke with the Steelers and Vikings but opted to spend his 18th NFL season with the Browns.”
So, according to Schefter, the Vikings were in the mix for Flacco, but he might’ve chosen the Browns because of a clearer path to QB1 snaps.
The 33rd Team‘s Ari Meirov added context about Flacco to Cleveland: “The Browns let Joe Flacco walk last offseason after his incredible run because they were committed to Deshaun Watson as their starter — and didn’t want the Flacco buzz looming if Watson struggled. Now, he’s back.”
Shedeur Sanders’ Draft Tumble Might Be Real
Until about a week ago, most draft experts expected the Browns to draft Colorado quarterback Shedeur Sanders, chiefly because the only quarterback on Cleveland’s roster is Kenny Pickett.
But recently, draft buzz has suggested that the Browns will pick Sanders’ teammate, Travis Hunter, a hybrid cornerback and wide receiver.
The Flacco signing adds legitimacy to the Hunter pick theory and allows the Browns to explore EDGE rusher Abdul Carter from Penn State, who will be drafted in the Top 5.
Flacco can play QB1 in a pinch, whereas Pickett would’ve inspired head-scratching. The Browns, too, could draft Hunter or Carter and wait until later in the draft for a quarterback like Jaxson Dart, Jalen Milroe, or Tyler Slough.
Drew Lock
Via free agency, if the Vikings still prefer a QB2 upgrade, Lock is on the open market.
He has a dazzling arm and curiously hasn’t signed anywhere through 4.5 weeks of free agency. The Denver Broncos drafted Lock six years ago, and while he briefly showed flashes of promise in Denver, he later turned into a journeyman backup — one with a rather lovable persona.
Lock struggled with the New York Giants last season. With the right coaching, however, his QB2 upside is pretty tantalizing.
Carson Wentz
Wentz supported Patrick Mahomes last year as the Kansas City Chiefs’ QB2. Like Lock, Wentz has no employer through two months of the offseason.
The former Philadelphia Eagle spent a season in Sean McVay’s system with the Los Angeles Rams in 2023, and most of the time, quarterbacks with that experience can seamlessly transfer to Vikings head coach Kevin O’Connell’s offense.
Wentz could be the next example, especially since Minnesota has signed no other backups. Minnesota may be waiting on Lock or Wentz until after the draft, when signing either man won’t sully the 2026 compensatory draft pick formula. Adding one right now would cost the Vikings a 3rd- or 4th-Rounder in 2026.
In early March, The Athletic linked Wentz to Minnesota as a possible fit in 2025.
Ryan Tannehill
Tannehill, on the other hand, can be signed by Minnesota at any time.
Fox Sports‘ Jordan Schultz tweeted this last month:
The odd part? If the Vikings wanted Tannehill, he’d likely be on the team by now. He won’t mess up the compensatory draft formula.
It’s worth nothing that general manager Kwesi Adofo-Mensah could also explore the trade market for a quarterback like Will Levis, Sam Howell, or Aidan O’Connell, to name a few examples. Of course, signing a backup passer via free agency would cost no draft capital.
Vikings Meet with Hometown Rookie QB
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