The Minnesota Vikings have likely seen enough out of J.J. McCarthy to hand him the reins of the offense once again in 2026, but the team should absolutely sign a veteran backup just in case things go off the rails.
But Vikings head coach Kevin O'Connell wants more than just a body. As he told reporters recently, he wants to add more competition to the quarterbacks room.
"I think there has to be (competition at quarterback)," he said. "I think that's what's gonna make everybody better in that room. It's gonna be what makes our entire offense thrive through that competition."
With Carson Wentz set to be a free agent, the Vikings don't have the veteran they need, with Max Brosmer the only other quarterback under contract for 2026.
While we fully expect the Vikings to add a veteran to the room, we would not expect anything major in terms of someone who can easily beat McCarthy out.
One player the Vikings could consider is former No. 2 overall pick, Marcus Mariota, who Matt Johnson of Sportsnaut believes will ultimately be who Minnesota signs as insurance and competition for the Michigan product.
Here's what Johnson said:
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. 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.
Mariota didn't pan out with the Tennessee Titans after they took him with a high pick in 2015, and since then he has mostly served as a backup.
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.
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