A Key Contender in the Vikings QB2 Pursuit
The Minnesota Vikings have set sail on free agency’s second wave after a splashy first week that featured all long-term roster needs filled by general manager Kwesi Adofo-Mensah.
A Key Contender in the Vikings QB2 Pursuit
The Minnesota Vikings have notably signed Ryan Kelly (C), Will Fries (G), Jonathan Allen (DT), Javon Hargrave (DT), Jordan Mason (RB, trade), Jeff Okudah (CB), and Isaiah Rodgers (CB) in free agency — in addition to extending Aaron Jones (RB), Byron Murphy Jr. (CB), Theo Jackson (S), and Harrison Smith (S).
And while those names are impressive, the Vikings still need a QB2 for 2025 unless that grand plan is to trust Brett Rypien with the job title, the only other passer on the current roster after J.J. McCarthy.
Here’s why to keep Jameis Winston in mind.
Why Jameis Winston?
About a week ago, ESPN’s Kevin Seifert posted on BlueSky, an X alternative: “During ESPN’s free agency special on ESPN2, Dan Orlovsky suggests Jameis Winston as the Vikings’ UFA QB option, presumably if Daniel Jones signs elsewhere.”
Jones, indeed, ventured elsewhere, signing a one-year, $14 million with the Indianapolis Colts last week, where he’ll compete for a starter’s job with Anthony Richardson.
Winston would provide ample starting experience, assuming the Vikings want that type of fallback for McCarthy, who is recovering from a meniscus tear he suffered last summer.
The 31-year-old has started 87 games since 2015 and offers guaranteed volume passing yards, guaranteed touchdown passes, guaranteed soundbites — and guaranteed interceptions. Picks are his fatal flaw, and why he doesn’t have a starter’s job.
In recent years, Minnesota hasn’t been shy about employing an interception merchant. Nick Mullens filled the job for three seasons as a backup passer in Minnesota, so Winston’s interception-happy resume cannot be excluded from Kevin O’Connell and Kwesi Adofo-Mensah’s plans.
In fact, during the 2023 campaign, O’Connell spoke highly of Winston after the Vikings downed the Saints. “But when Jameis Winston comes in the game, and you know how physically talented he is, for our defense to keep them out and hold on that victory, I was really proud of those guys,” O’Connell said after a win in November 2023.
Winston’s Other Suitor(s)
Winston will be sought after no matter what.
NFL Network’s Tom Pelissero tweeted Tuesday, “Free-agent QB Jameis Winston is scheduled to visit the Giants on Tuesday, per sources. While the New York braintrust waits for Aaron Rodgers’ decision, it’s continuing to visit with alternatives: Joe Flacco, Russell Wilson and now Winston, the former No. 1 overall pick.”
The Pittsburgh Steelers and Las Vegas Raiders could also poke around Winston’s free agency. It might be down to the Vikings, Steelers, and Raiders.
How We Got Here This Offseason
All quarterbacks not named McCarthy and Rypien left the organization last week.
Sam Darnold chased a fat sack of cash in Seattle, earning a $100.5 million payday over three years to serve as the Seahawks starter, reuniting with offensive coordinator Klint Kubiak from his 2023 stint with the San Francisco 49ers.
Jones is a Colt. And the aforementioned Mullens followed former Vikings assistant quarterback coach Grant Udinski to the Jacksonville Jaguars, along with tight end Johnny Mundt, where he’ll be one injury to Trevor Lawrence away from the big job.
It’s Darnold, Jones, and Mullens out — with nobody new in.
Meanwhile, nonstop Vikings-themed rumors involving Aaron Rodgers persist, so the longer Minnesota doesn’t sign a QB2 like Winston, the Vikings will be connected as a landing spot to Rodgers as QB1.
That’s just the nature of the beast at the moment.
Other QB2 Options
Suppose Minnesota doesn’t fancy Winston’s turnover-happy ways. It still needs a bonafide QB2 option if Rypien isn’t “the guy.”
Minus Winston and Rodgers, the quarterback pool would be down to these men:
- Joe Flacco
- Trey Lance
- Drew Lock
- Ryan Tannehill
- Carson Wentz
Winston will turn 32 next January.
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.
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