ESPN Hints Vikings Could Swing a Trade
During every summer under general manager Kwesi Adofo-Mensah, the Minnesota Vikings have fired off a trade.
ESPN claims the Vikings may trade at a prominent position if backup options struggle in the preseason. A roster shakeup could be on the horizon yet this summer.
None have occurred in 2025, leading some to speculate that a deal with another NFL squad could be upcoming.
And according to ESPN, that transaction would likely involve a backup quarterback.
ESPN Warns of Vikings Trade This Month — for a QB2
It’s all up to Sam Howell regarding Minnesota’s plans at backup quarterback.
A Vikings Trade for a QB2 Is on the Table, Says ESPN
General manager Kwesi Adofo-Mensah’s last notable trade actually involved a quarterback, a deal for Sam Howell late in the 2025 NFL Draft. However, Howell has disappointed at training camp, especially early on, only seeming to turn the corner a bit in the last few days.
If Howell doesn’t fully recover in time for the regular season — that’s one month away on the nose — Minnesota could do business with another franchise for an alternative, says ESPN.
“If neither of them works out, it’s possible the Vikings will look to trade for or claim a quarterback later this month,” Kevin Seifert wrote this week.
Adofo-Mensah has a mostly full draft capital piggybank if he wishes to fulfill ESPN’s prediction.
Seifert also noted, “Camp recap: What is the biggest question to answer for your team in preseason games? Backup quarterback. While the majority of attention in camp has been on McCarthy, the Vikings have been increasingly mixing and matching the passers behind him to determine who — if any of them — should be the No. 2 when the regular season begins.”
“The team entered camp with Sam Howell, whom they acquired this spring from the Seattle Seahawks, working with the second-team offense. But while Howell has made some nice throws, he has not been consistent enough to lock down the role. Veteran Brett Rypien, last season’s No. 3 quarterback, has begun to split second-team reps with Howell.”
Sam Howell in the Preseason
Thankfully for Howell’s sake, he has three exhibition games to change the narrative. Minnesota’s preseason kicks off Saturday against the Houston Texans, and although J.J. McCarthy, the QB1, will play, that showing may be his only action until the regular season.
Then, Howell, plus Rypien and Brosmer, will be on full display, often playing against backup players, strutting their stuff and making their cases for the QB2 post.
Training camp has not been overly kind to the backup quarterback spot. Perhaps the preseason contests can shed new light on the optimal path forward. After all, Howell, Rypien, and Brosmer won’t face Brian Flores-led units each August weekend.
Trade Options?
What if ESPN is right? QB2 options vary from team to team, but these men might check some boxes:
- Drew Lock (Seattle Seahawks)
- Trey Lance (Los Angeles Chargers)
- Clayton Tune (Arizona Cardinals)
- Mike White (Buffalo Bills)
- Zach Wilson (Miami Dolphins)
- Jameis Winston (New York Giants)
- Bailey Zappe (Kansas City Chiefs)
From that list, Lock, Wilson, and Winston might draw the loudest support and approval from fans.
Just Sign Carson Wentz? Ryan Tannenill?
There’s also free agency. Teddy Bridgewater and Tyler Huntley have found new employers this week, the Tampa Bay Buccaneers and Cleveland Browns, respectively, leaving Carson Wentz as the only active common-sense option. Wentz has ample experience as a QB1 and QB2, frequently linked to Minnesota earlier in the offseason.
Ryan Tannehill is also unsigned, though he did not play football last year and turned 37 last month.
It’s also worth noting that several semi-noteworthy QB2s and QB3s will hit the open market on August 26th when teams must shave rosters from 90 players to 53.
Pioneer Press on QB2
Dane Mizutani opined on the QB2 predicament this week. He wrote, “What’s the plan behind McCarthy? That question isn’t easy to answer. Though he’s still the backup quarterback at the moment, Howell has been mostly competing with himself for the job in training camp, and it hasn’t always been pretty as he acclimates to playing in a new system. That has led to some indecision from Howell in the pocket.”
“There have been times he looked paralyzed by thought when he drops back to pass. He also has thrown a number of interceptions with pressure in his face.”
QB2 performance is now among the top storylines in Minnesota’s three exhibition games.
Mizutani added, “There needs to be marked improvement from Howell starting this weekend when the Vikings host the Houston Texans on Saturday afternoon at U.S. Bank Stadium to kick off their exhibition slate. Meanwhile, Rypien has had some highs and lows in training camp, and Brosmer is still a work in progress after coming in as an undrafted free agent.”
“Neither has the experience the Vikings are likely looking for at backup quarterback. That doesn’t mean they won’t play throughout the preseason.”
Minnesota has about $25 million in cap space, plenty of room to accommodate just about any swap for a quarterback or player of another position.
You must be logged in to post a comment.