The biggest offseason priority for the Minnesota Vikings will be what to do at the quarterback position.
If things don't change drastically for J.J. McCarthy down the stretch run of the 2025 season, the Vikings must find an adequate veteran quarterback to compete against him for the starting job in the offseason.
McCarthy has shown some flashes in his first year as the starter, but not nearly enough and there has been far more bad than good.
Knowing that, The Ringer's Diante Lee predicts the Vikings will "trade for an inexpensive bridge quarterback" in the offseason.
Lee names the Philadelphia Eagles' Tanner McKee, the New Orleans Saints' Spencer Rattler and the San Francisco 49ers' Mac Jones as possible options.
Why no flashy names?
Well, Lee points to the fact that the Vikings are going to be strapped for cash, with the team being a projected $35 million over the cap in 2026, so that will limit the options the Vikings can explore.
"In one offseason, a roster that currently has quality depth on both sides of the ball would likely become one of the league’s worst, and the Vikings might still be too cash-strapped to afford a high-end starter," Lee writes.
"That means Tanner McKee, Mac Jones, or Spencer Rattler might be the most realistic options to compete with McCarthy in 2026."
Mac Jones is the best option of the three QBs
Jones is by far the most attractive option on that list, as he's the most proven of the trio and won't cost a lot, at least in terms of his salary, with Jones accounting for a cap hit of just $2.2 million in 2026.
The 49ers quarterback has managed to revive his career in 2025 after filling in for an injured Brock Purdy for eight starts. Jones has completed 66.5% of his passes for 1,859 yards and 13 touchdowns to six interceptions.
The 49ers will have to weigh whether they want to take away such valuable depth from the most important position in the NFL, but we figure San Francisco will do right by Jones and send him to a place that gives him a chance to start.
Given Jones' ascension this season, we could see the Niners grabbing a Day 2 pick for the veteran quarterback, so he isn't likely to come cheap in terms of draft capital.
As for Rattler and McKee, the book is already written on the former after 14 uninspiring starts, and McKee is completely unproven with just one start.
McKee did shine in that lone start, though, completing 27-of-41 passes for 269 yards and two touchdowns to zero picks in Week 18 last season.
While we would prefer someone like Jones or even Arizona Cardinals quarterback Kyler Murray over McKee and Rattler, both would be better than nothing for the Vikings, but give us McKee over Rattler.
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