ESPN insider identifies 5 quarterbacks the Vikings might consider if J.J. McCarthy isn't their primary choice.

Dharya Sharma

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ESPN insider names 5 QBs Vikings could target as J.J. McCarthy insurance image

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TL;DR

  • Minnesota Vikings may need to re-evaluate quarterback J.J. McCarthy after the 2025 season due to performance and injuries.
  • McCarthy's struggles include six touchdowns to ten interceptions and a recent concussion protocol entry.
  • Potential quarterback acquisitions for the Vikings in 2026 include Daniel Jones, Joe Flacco, Kyler Murray, Mac Jones, and Davis Mills.
  • The Vikings should secure a dependable backup quarterback capable of stepping into a starting role this offseason.

The Minnesota Vikings will need to re-evaluate the quarterback position after the 2025 season.

As the starter for the Vikings, J.J. McCarthy, aged 22, hasn't met expectations, throwing six touchdowns against ten interceptions over six games this season, which has led to Minnesota losing several contests.

Additionally, McCarthy continues to struggle with injuries. The Michigan product missed five games earlier this year after suffering a high ankle sprain in Week 2.

McCarthy has rejoined the injury report for The Vikings placed him in concussion protocol following their Week 13 loss to the Green Bay Packers, a contest in which the inexperienced quarterback tossed two picks and managed only 87 passing yards.

Given McCarthy's shortcomings, Minnesota should look to bolster its quarterback options during the upcoming offseason. ESPN's Jeremy Fowler presents five potential quarterback acquisitions for The Vikings in 2026, such as Daniel Jones, Joe Flacco, Kyler Murray, Mac Jones, and Davis Mills.

Minnesota might consider Jones and Murray as starting choices, yet they're the least probable. Jones, despite entering free agency this spring, will demand substantial compensation, and the Indianapolis Colts appear set to retain their experienced starter.

Murray's future with the Arizona Cardinals is incredibly uncertain. It's quite probable that the former top draft selection will be playing for a different team in the upcoming season, and while the Vikings present a sensible destination, Minnesota would need to part with valuable draft picks to acquire Murray.

Minnesota could realistically pursue a veteran backup capable of starting, such as Flacco, Mac Jones, or Mills. Acquiring or signing any of them wouldn't be excessively expensive and would offer excellent protection for McCarthy.

For The Vikings to fully transition away from McCarthy, acquiring a starter-caliber player such as Daniel Jones or Murray would represent a significant acquisition. Nevertheless, it's premature to abandon McCarthy, thus general manager Kwesi Adofo-Mensah's offseason strategy ought to involve securing a dependable backup capable of stepping into a starting role.

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