Vikings Linked to 1st-Round Quarterback
The quarterback position in the Twin Cities remains unsettled. A recent report suggested that “all bets are off” with J.J. McCarthy. The most common expectation is that the passer will be paired with a veteran fallback option (Kirk Cousins or comparable QBs), while some still envision him to be straight-up replaced by a capable starter such as Kyler Murray.
Well, then there’s the draft option. It’s uncommon in NFL reporting that the Vikings could snag a signal-caller in April, but it cannot be ruled out. The idea is far from consensus, but it reflects how wide Minnesota’s range of outcomes has become.
Ryan McCrystal of Sharp Football Analysis brought QB into Minnesota’s first-round conversation. In his latest mock draft, he has cornerback Jermod McCoy going 18th overall, but he offered an alternative pick for the Vikings: Alabama QB Ty Simpson.
He wrote, “Things got so bad for J.J. McCarthy last year that we have to at least address the possibility that Minnesota drafts his replacement.”
That’s a fair assessment after McCarthy lasted only ten games in his first season as a starter and in most statistics, he is at or near the bottom, surrounded by Browns quarterbacks Shedeur Sanders, Dillon Gabriel, and Titans QB1 Cam Ward. Both those franchises fired their head coaches and neither was oozing with talent around their young passers.
McCrystal added, “However, interim GM Rob Brzezinski is unlikely to make that call. Brzezinski has been in Minnesota a long time and spent most of his career working under GM Rick Spielman, who is known for his patience. Assuming Brzezinski adopts a similar philosophy, even if faith has been lost in McCarthy, he is unlikely to make a desperate selection to replace him.”
There’s no real track record of Brzezinski and it’s anyone’s guess how he operates. There’s also a chance that a question of that magnitude will be an ownership call, especially after the disastrous quarterback decision in the 2025 offseason. Sam Darnold was let go and won a Super Bowl, while the Vikings haven’t been to that game in five decades and the quarterback play in 2025 gave very little reason to think they will get back in the near future.
Regardless, Simpson has just one year of starting experience under his belt after backing up Jalen Milroe in years past. In 2025, Simpson passed for 3,567 yards, 28 touchdowns and five picks. He added a couple of touchdowns on the ground, but he is certainly not known for his mobility.
The draft report of NFL.com’s Lance Zierlein sounds a lot like Simpson is the opposite of McCarthy: “Former five-star prospect who waited his turn at Alabama and raised his profile in a single season as the Tide’s starter. Simpson is mechanically sound from a footwork and release perspective, providing a favorable foundation to work from. He’s above average as a processor and decision-maker, but timing and anticipation remain works in progress. Arm talent and velocity are average, which limits his success. His repeatable process should help iron out ball placement inconsistencies the more he plays.”
McCarthy has the physical tools but lacks fundamentals such as footwork and mechanics.
Zierlein continued, “Simpson is unfazed by shell coverages and is decisive when attacking intermediate zone pockets for chunk gains. He can break contain and move the sticks with his legs, too. Learning to cut bait and avoid sacks needs to be prioritized. One-year starters rarely “boom” so he’ll need a patient staff and a clear developmental roadmap to fill in the missing pieces.”
The Vikings would suddenly have two passers (unless they ship McCarthy elsewhere) who need patience and it’s worth wondering if that makes any sense in the near future. Sure, another year of struggles in 2026 and the club should be considered a landing spot for draft prospects in 2027, but adding one in the 1st round this year seems premature.
Crazier things have happened in the NFL, but Simpson should be viewed as a long shot to land in the Twin Cities. More likely is the addition of a veteran, while the staff continues to work with the 23-year-old McCarthy, hoping to get the most out of the 10th overall pick from 2024.
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