Vikings QB2 Search Now Has 8 Options
The Minnesota Vikings need a backup quarterback to support J.J. McCarthy in 2025 — or so most think.
Vikings QB2 Search Now Has 8 Options
The franchise has made zero moves at the position, aside from extending Brett Rypien’s contract at the very beginning of the offseason.
And with Russell Wilson + Jameis Winston signing with the New York Giants this week, the Vikings QB2 options are down to eight possibilities.
These are those ranked in ascending order (No. 1 = most likely outcome).
8. Trey Lance
Lance is only mentioned because the Vikings are down to nubbins at QB2 in free agency.
It has curiously missed out on prominent backup quarterbacks. Thankfully, most fans lean on Kevin O’Connell to work with anyone at quarterback, even Lance in a pinch.
The issue with Lance? He couldn’t even grab a QB2 job with the Dallas Cowboys last year. Cooper Rush, a newly-signed Baltimore Raven who would’ve otherwise made this list, held down QB2 duties when Dak Prescott was lost for the year.
Still, there’s the home-state angle for Lance, who is from Marshall, Minnesota.
7. Nothing — Just Brett Rypien
It’s probably unlikely, but Minnesota could, in theory, quietly love Brett Rypien, which would explain the recent QB2 inactivity.
With this scenario, O’Connell hands Rypien the QB2 job and signs a little-known QB3 for the practice squad.
Rypien has started a few games in the NFL, so this one cannot be ruled out.
6. Drew Lock
Lock is lovable. Really lovable.
He also has a cannon arm and seems like just what the doctor ordered for McCarthy insurance in 2025. The guy can straight fling the rock, and if called upon, Lock could feast in a Vikings offense that includes playmakers like Justin Jefferson, Jordan Addison, T.J. Hockenson, Aaron Jones, Jordan Mason, and Rondale Moore.
Lock won’t bring a quarterback debate or competition; he knows his role.
The man seems like a tailor-made fit for an O’Connell offense with a McCarthy taking the throne.
5. Carson Wentz
Another somewhat close geographical connection like Lance, Wentz attended North Dakota State and played high school football in Bismarck, North Dakota.
His career totally died in Philadelphia when Jalen Hurts rose to prominence, and Wentz has never recovered.
Now 32, Wentz has assumed backup roles for the last few years, and his career as QB1 feels kaput. But as the new adage goes — O’Connell could probably squeeze the virtue from Wentz. After all, the Kansas City Chiefs trusted Wentz with QB2 in 2024. If it’s good enough for the Chiefs, why not the Vikings?
Back in 2017 and 2018, Wentz was a true-blue MVP candidate.
4. Case Keenum
Remember Keenum?
He’s a free agent and turned 37 this offseason. He’s recovering from a season-cancelling foot injury in 2024, but if signed by the Vikings, he’d be a perfect sounding board for McCarthy next season.
Keenum also showed his theatrics in Minnesota during the 2017 campaign. You might remember it.
3. A Trade
Minnesota could procrastinate indefinitely and then explore the trade market during or after the NFL draft for one of these men:
- Kirk Cousins (Falcons)
- Jake Haener (Saints)
- Sam Howell (Seahawks)
- Will Levis (Titans)
- Joe Milton (Patriots)
- Michael Pratt (Buccaneers)
- Anthony Richardson (Colts)
- Aidan O’Connell (Raiders)
- Kyle Trask (Buccaneers)
- Clayton Tune (Cardinals)
General manager Kwesi Adofo-Mensah pursued this path in 2022 when he traded for Nick Mullens after realizing that Kellen Mond and Sean Mannion didn’t have the juice for QB2.
2. Joe Flacco
Flacco is ancient by NFL standards. Let’s just get that out of the way. At 40, he won’t threaten McCarthy’s summer climb to QB1 but would provide veteran dependability and mentorship.
The 2012 Super Bowl champ led the Cleveland Browns to the postseason in 2023, revitalizing his career, even if the Browns’ defense did most of the hard work.
Per personality and experience, one might argue that Flacco is the best human to hang out with McCarthy in the 2025 Vikings quarterback room.
1. Ryan Tannehill
FOX Sports’ Jordan Schultz tweeted last Friday, “Sources: The Vikings have had discussions with former Titans QB Ryan Tannehill about a potential deal. Talks are ongoing and nothing is imminent as of right now, sources tell NFL of FOX.”
Tannehill is evidently a tangible option — not just a guy on VikingsTerritory lists.
– – –
It should be noted that men like Lock, Flacco, and Wentz would likely enter the mix early this summer when signing them would not affect Minnesota’s 2026 compensatory draft formula. For example, if Adofo-Mensah signed Drew Lock today, he’d probably lose the compensatory draft pick that is on deck from Daniel Jones’ free-agent exodus to Indianapolis.
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.