Marcus Mariota Pops Up in QB Conversation for Vikings
The Minnesota Vikings will seek another quarterback this offseason, either a passer to support J.J. McCarthy or compete with him this summer. Sportsnaut believes that man will be Marcus Mariota, who spent the last two seasons with the Washington Commanders.
Minnesota might need a steady No. 2 who can run the offense cleanly if McCarthy misses time or struggles.
Mariota is scheduled to hit free agency in less than eight weeks, and if the Vikings want him, they should be able to obtain him rather easily.
Where Marcus Mariota Fits on the Vikings’ 2026 QB Depth Chart
It’s Mariota’s turn for the Vikings rumor mill.
Sportsnaut: Mariota to Vikings
Matt Johnson took a stab at the landing spots for the main quarterbacks in the 2026 carousel. For Mariota, Minnesota got the nod.
He explained, “The Minnesota Vikings are not going to pursue a quarterback who would be viewed as a serious challenger to J.J. McCarthy in training camp.”
“What Kevin O’Connell wants is a veteran who can, if needed, come off the bench and play effectively within the structure of the offense. Look at what Marcus Mariota has done in the last two seasons when Jayden Daniels was sidelined.”
Mariota would provide a McCarthy-like skill set, able to make throws off schedule and bounce out of the pocket at will.
Johnson continued, “Across 14 games, he posted a 93.4 passer rating with a 14-7 touchdown-to-interception line, a 63.8 percent completion rate and 7.6 yards per attempt. Plus, he offers rushing ability. He is an ideal and cost-effective option for Minnesota.”
“If McCarthy struggles early next season, the offense could improve with Mariota under center.”
It’s the first notable theory attaching Mariota to the Vikings this offseason, perhaps the first of many.
A Relationship with Kevin O’Connell 10 Years Ago
If Sportsnaut nails this thing, it might be more than a decade in the making.
Ten years ago, O’Connell worked for the Cleveland Browns, while Mariota was just entering the business out of Oregon. The two evidently had a connection.
ESPN’s Jeremy Fowler wrote in 2015, “Mariota’s relationship with QBs coach Kevin O’Connell: O’Connell privately tutored Mariota before and even after taking the Browns job. He orchestrated Mariota’s pro day throwing sequence. He knows Mariota better than most.”
“The Browns can lean on that insight, cutting out the proverbial middle man on get-to-know-you sessions.”
O’Connell served as Cleveland’s quarterback coach at the time. The Tennessee Titans later selected Mariota, and O’Connell’s Browns rolled with defensive tackle Danny Shelton, who stuck around the NFL for eight seasons.
The moral of the story? O’Connell knows Mariota, and it would not be weird for Sportsnaut to end up correct on this one.
Ample Starting Experience
Mariota has started 82 games in the NFL since turning pro 11 years ago, with his teams tabulating a 36-46 (.439) record on his watch. He’s thrown for 17,879 yards in 104 total games, tallying 107 passing touchdowns and 62 interceptions. Mariota also features a dual-threat angle, though that has diminished in his 30s; he has still posted 2,453 rushing yards and 19 rushing scores in 11 seasons.
Here’s his NFL resume to date:
- Tennessee Titans (2015–2019)
- Las Vegas Raiders (2020–2021)
- Atlanta Falcons (2022)
- Philadelphia Eagles (2023)
- Washington Commanders (2024–now)
Mariota was at the peak of his powers in 2016, compiling a season with 3,426 passing yards, 26 passing touchdowns, and just 9 picks.
Sporting News‘ Andy Moraitis on the would-be Vikings fit: “In 2025, Mariota started in eight games with the Washington Commanders due to injuries to Jayden Daniels, and he provided a steady hand in those games while keeping Washington competitive. On top of all that, Mariota played a key role in helping to mentor Daniels.”
“Mariota is a top-flight backup and great mentor who can push McCarthy while also serving as a solid insurance policy if the young quarterback flops or gets hurt. We know how great O’Connell has been with veteran quarterbacks in the past, so chances are Mariota will have his eye on Minnesota if he doesn’t return to the Commanders. With everything we know about what the Vikings need, Mariota is a fantastic fit.”
Other Sportsnaut Theories
Some Vikings fans have identified Mac Jones as an ideal secondary quarterback option for Minnesota in 2026 — if the San Francisco 49ers trade him. Jones, in theory, would perfectly balance a QB2 assignment if McCarthy blossoms and stays healthy, with the ability to reclaim his career in the Twin Cities if McCarthy flames out.
But Johnson picked the Miami Dolphins for Jones in his carousel predictions. He wrote, “Moving on from Tua Tagovailoa will be expensive, creating a salary-cap situation that greatly limits whom the Miami Dolphins can pursue as their starting quarterback in 2026. That is why a Mac Jones trade makes the most sense.”
“It would be a return home for the Florida native, with the hope that this stint yields better results than his time with the Jacksonville Jaguars. Jones would join an offense that featured improved offensive line play in 2025, and he would have two excellent weapons in De’Von Achane and Jaylen Waddle. It is a sufficient supporting cast that, with the right offensive play-caller, could allow him to perform well in a contract year.”
Mariota will turn 33 in the fall.
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