Vikings GM Updates the Backup QB Situation
No, the Minnesota Vikings have not forgotten about the backup quarterback position.
Vikings GM Updates the Backup QB Situation
A healthy faction of Vikings fans have wondered just why in the hell the franchise hasn’t signed an additional quarterback this offseason, only showcasing J.J. McCarthy and Brett Rypien six days before the 2025 NFL Draft.
Thankfully for curious minds, Adofo-Mensah updated his team’s QB2 plan on Thursday at a pre-draft press conference.
Kwesi Adofo-Mensah on the QB2
Some onlookers — and this website — have surmised that Minnesota is waiting until after the draft to sign another passer because delaying the acquisition until then will preserve a compensatory draft pick in 2026. Adofo-Mensah is tentatively on deck to receive a 4th- or 5th-Round pick due to Cam Robinson’s/Daniel Jones’ free-agent exit.
But Adofo-Mensah pumped the brakes on that theory.
He told reporters, “It’s not the end-all be-all, When you find a 27-year-old pass rusher who fits your team and skill sets that you want, you go do it, because you ask yourself, ‘What would I rather have?’ and the answer sometimes is, ‘I would rather have that really good player.'”
“We’re not going to rush it either way, but we’re always mindful of it.”
So, while the compensatory draft is important, it’s not wholly preventing the Vikings from signing a quarterback. It’s just a factor.
Vikings.Com’s Take
Lindsey Young and Rob Kleifield also mentioned Minnesota’s QB2 search this week. The duo wrote, “Minnesota has two quarterbacks on its roster: J.J. McCarthy and Brett Rypien. In other words, it’s no secret it’ll be adding to the room before summer gets underway.”
“Adofo-Mensah addressed the position Thursday, clarifying that the Vikings patience to sign another arm isn’t strictly related to waiting out the compensatory pick period, in which inking a free agent could be counted against them for extra selections awarded next year. There’s no consideration for comp pick allotment starting on the Monday after the NFL Draft, so in this case, the Vikings would be in the clear April 28.”
Minnesota employs Kevin O’Connell as the head coach, a man well-known as a “quarterback whisperer,” so any prolonged anxiety from fans might be much ado about nothing. The Vikings will figure it out. Offseason daydreams should focus on McCarthy, not some backup.
“Adofo-Mensah, however, isn’t scared off from bringing in a QB before that date. He described the decision as an opportunity-cost and reminded that Minnesota lost one by signing Jonathan Greenard,” Vikings.com added.
The Free Agent Options
There’s no arguing whatsoever that Minnesota has waited a long time to add a QB2, a transaction that could’ve been fairly straightforward.
This late in free agency, two names remain that would serve as an obvious upgrade to Brett Rypien: Carson Wentz and Ryan Tannehill.
The Vikings can sign Tannehill at any time — today, even — and the move won’t cancel the aforementioned compensatory pick. Tannehill played for no team last season, and his free agency doesn’t affect the comp pick formula.
Wentz is different. If Adofo-Mensah signed him tonight, the Vikings could lose a pick next year. However, adding Wentz in about nine days — the man who backed up Patrick Mahomes last year — will alleviate the comp pick fears.
What about a Trade for a QB2?
Too, the trade market, which Minnesota used in 2022 to find Nick Mullens, is an option.
Widespread consensus suggests Adofo-Mensah could target one of these three men during or after the draft:
- Sam Howell (Seattle Seahawks)
- Will Levis (Tennessee Titans)
- Aidan O’Connell (Las Vegas Raiders)
And, no — Aidan O’Connell is not related to Kevin O’Connell. They’re merely Irish last-name bedfellows.
Don’t Forget Brett Rypien
Finally, there’s a small chance that Minnesota signs a “no-name” quarterback after the draft, like Easton Stick or Jeff Driskel.
Such a transaction would move Rypien firmly into the QB2 spot, which might make sense because Adofo-Mensah and O’Connell have talked favorably about Rypien for months.
Other fringe backup candidates might include Mike White, Desmond Ridder, or C.J. Beathard.
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