A New (But Odd) Quarterback Gets Linked to Vikings
At this point, there’s very little debate: the Vikings need to enhance the quarterback position.
Basically every capable, competent passer has been looped into the purple rumor mill. Some of the leading theories include Arizona’s Kyler Murray (again, again, and again). So, too, have there been discussions of a Kirk Cousins reunion, prying away Justin Fields from the Jets, and/or the possibility of a true slobberknocker like trading for Joe Burrow.
But what about Geno Smith?
The Raiders passer is soon to be looking for work. Or, at least, that’s the widespread expectation after Pete Carroll got fired in favor of Klint Kubiak. After all, Las Vegas has the No. 1 selection, a draft choice that appears certain to get sunk into Fernando Mendoza, the wildly-impressive passer coming out of Indiana.
If Smith does indeed get into free agency, do the Vikings make a move?
A New Quarterback Option for the Vikings
For starters, consider that Tom Pelissero is the one who name-dropped Geno Smith.
Pelissero is a league insider who has a pile of connections to Minnesota. When Pelissero speaks — especially when the topic is the Vikings — it’s wise to listen. He’s a plugged-in, reliable reporter who does a nice job of keeping his ear to the ground. Does Smith actually make sense, though?
To begin, consider that he fulfills a pair of key needs: the older passer is experienced and can function as either the QB1 or QB2.
Whoever gets added needs to prove capable of living in that hybrid role, a passer capable of being a starter and yet not unwilling to be the backup if that’s how the competition ends up working out. Smith can be that player.
Even better is that he has had some recent seasons where he played well.
Most recently, Smith wasn’t excellent. He went 2-13 for the Raiders, a disaster of a team. He completed 67.4% of his passes for 3,025 yards, 19 touchdowns, and 17 interceptions. Clearly, those numbers aren’t ideal, though the passing percentage is very healthy.
Back in 2022, Geno Smith constructed a great season with the Seahawks. The completion number finished off at a sizzling 69.8% while piling up 4,282 yards, 30 touchdowns, and 11 interceptions. He went to the Pro Bowl and won Comeback Player of the Year. He finished 9th in MVP voting.
The 35-year-old passer was originally chosen at No. 39 in the 2013 NFL Draft. He offers good size at 6’3″ and 221 pounds.
Las Vegas will carve out an added $8 million in cap space with a straightforward cut. Moreover, there’s the chance for the Raiders to fully reset behind the new coaching staff while clearing out snaps for Mendoza alongside anyone else who gets added to be an option under center.
In Minnesota, Smith would receive better coaching and get to toss the pigskin to better talent than recent seasons. Would that be enough to see him get closer to the 2022 version of himself and further away from where he was in 2025 while throwing interceptions in Sin City?
The Vikings, in all likelihood, will consider the Smith option if the expected occurs that he gets released. As always, contract cost will be a key consideration for a Vikings team that’s not going to be able to outbid all competitors when acquiring FA talent.
The only quarterbacks on Minnesota’s roster are J.J. McCarthy and Max Brosmer. Neither have much NFL experience and neither inspired huge optimism with their performance last season.
Smith has been in the NFL since 2013 and has played in 109 games. Minnesota could do worse even if the veteran isn’t the world’s most inspiring option as someone who could be past his prime.
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