If J.J. McCarthy Loses the Job, One of These 8 QBs Will Be Why
The Minnesota Vikings’ executives and coaching staff have now said a few times this offseason that another quarterback will be acquired via trade or free agency. The writing is on the wall, as the club seeks to establish a full competition this summer involving J.J. McCarthy. While Minnesota could sign someone like Case Keenum or Gardner Minshew to serve as a backup-only, an alternative QB1 feels much more likely.
Minnesota can stay patient with McCarthy or invite a real challenger into camp and let the room sort itself out.
Therefore, if McCarthy loses his job this summer, one of the following eight men will be the culprit.
Eight Veteran Quarterbacks Who Could Land on Minnesota’s Radar
In order of likelihood of joining the Vikings, these are the top eight threats to McCarthy’s job, with free agency about a week and a half away (No. 1 = most likely Vikings QB addition).
First — The Honorable Mentions:
These men nearly made the cut, but if Minnesota signs or trades for a man from this list, it won’t be a total no-brainer that he lands the QB1 job:
- Justin Fields
- Jimmy Garoppolo
- Will Levis
- Marcus Mariota
- Spencer Rattler
- Anthony Richarson
- Russell Wilson
The players above would bring an honest-to-goodness training camp battle, as the Indianapolis Colts showcased in 2025 between Daniel Jones and Anthony Richardson.
8. Tua Tagovailoa
Tagovailoa was damn productive in 2023 — 4,624 passing yards and 29 touchdown passes — but he and the Dolphins have nosedived since. Miami’s new brand of leadership appears ready to cut or trade Tagovailoa, and if he’s available for “free” in free agency — he’s already been paid by the 2026 Dolphins — the value would be difficult to ignore.
He ranks so low on this list because he called Vikings defensive coordinator Brian Flores a “terrible person” on a podcast in 2024. Minnesota may not want to piss off Flores by adding Tagovailoa. Flores isn’t a guy you piss off.
7. Geno Smith
The Raiders could release Smith to make room for Fernando Mendoza, who is expected to be the first overall pick in April’s draft. Las Vegas would have Aidan O’Connell in the house to serve as the QB2.
In 2022, Smith posted 4,282 passing yards and 31 touchdowns.
6. Derek Carr
Carr recently hinted at unretirement, claiming he’d want to play for a contender. Of all current quarterback-needy teams who might fit his criteria, Carr would have a binary choice between the Vikings and the Pittsburgh Steelers.
The challenge? Carr remains under contract in New Orleans, meaning Minnesota would have to annoyingly trade a draft pick to the Saints for his services.
5. Aaron Rodgers
Late last summer, Rodgers told the world that he’d probably retire after the 2025 campaign. Now, he’s waffling. Who could’ve seen that coming?
Rodgers reportedly campaigned to join the Vikings last year for a one-year run at the Super Bowl. If he doesn’t retire, why would his mindset be any different in 2026?
4. Malik Willis
Willis’s next contract will allegedly check in around two years and $65 million or three years and $98 million. That’s probably too pricey for the Vikings. Still, Willis played incredibly well for the Green Bay Packers in 2024 and 2025.
His next team will hope he can unlock a Sam Darnold or Baker Mayfield story. He has the mobility and arm strength of a franchise quarterback. We shall see whether his three starts in Green Bay translate into long-term success.
3. Mac Jones
Jones showed intense promise while filling in for an injured Brock Purdy in San Francisco last season, delivering eight consistent and productive performances. He could likely function within Kevin O’Connell’s system and drive offensive momentum.
However, the significant obstacle is the potential acquisition cost. San Francisco reportedly wants a significant draft pick from a quarterback-needy team, a steep price that may deter Minnesota, given their recent draft history. The Vikings can’t waste any draft picks while hoping to heal from former general manager Kwesi Adofo-Mensah’s awful draft classes.
Furthermore, Jones’s 2024 performances before 2025 raise concerns about his consistency and arm strength, making it difficult to justify such a huge investment when more affordable alternatives exist. The Vikings faced him in 2024 when Jones led the Jacksonville Jaguars. He played like a buffoon that day.
Think of it this way: Do you want the Vikings to trade a 1st- or 2nd-Round pick to San Francisco for Jones?
2. Kirk Cousins
Falcons general manager Ian Cunningham announced Tuesday that his club will release Cousins in two weeks. Cousins is guaranteed to be available.
He didn’t play well in 2025, lacking any pocket mobility and failing to capitalize on an offense that had Bijan Robinson at its disposal. Still, many Vikings fans believe Cousins is the most logical offseason choice at quarterback for two reasons: a) He knows the offense through and through b) He’ll know his role as a possible mentor to McCarthy because of his time spent with Michael Penix Jr.
1. Kyler Murray
Murray has a better career EPA+CPOE than Baker Mayfield and Trevor Lawrence. He just does.
But his relationship with the Arizona Cardinals has fetched just one playoff berth in seven seasons. The Cardinals may try something new at quarterback in 2026.
Some rumors suggest the Cardinals will release Murray, making the value to his next team undeniable. Could the Vikings really pass on a “free” quarterback who was the first overall pick in the 2019 NFL Draft? The guy with 4.38 speed, the fifth-best completion percentage in NFL history, and arm strength to throw the ball 70 yards?
Many don’t think Murray is a “scheme fit” for Minnesota. Minnesota should tweak the scheme if it can’t accommodate a fast quarterback with top-notch accuracy and arm strength.
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