Insider Sheds Light on Whether the Vikings Will Add Another QB

Though the Minnesota Vikings aren’t feeling the stress, there is tangible angst about their quarterback position if J.J. McCarthy is unable to stay healthy.

Minnesota beat writer Alec Lewis from The Athletic addressed those concerns while also answering other Vikings fan questions during a recent mailbag, and he isn’t sure about who the Vikings backup QB will be at least in the short term.

McCarthy, of course, missed his entire rookie season with a torn meniscus. The 10th overall pick of the 2024 NFL Draft is the Vikings’ undisputed starting quarterback, since 2024 starter Sam Darnold signed with the Seattle Seahawks in the off-season.

Still, there is a host of uninspiring options at quarterback behind McCarthy, namely Sam Howell and Brett Rypien.

What Other Quarterbacks Are Available For The Vikings?

The Vikings have passed on veteran options like Aaron Rodgers and Ryan Tannehill or re-signing 2024 backup Daniel Jones or trading for ex-starter Kirk Cousins from the Atlanta Falcons. The thinking is not to bog down McCarthy’s development with a competition for 2025.

But Lewis isn’t sure if that was the right call, especially with McCarthy coming off a serious knee injury, though one thing is clear: the outstanding options aren’t great.

“There aren’t an abundance of alternatives,” Lewis wrote. “If the Vikings soured on Howell, they could try to sway longtime starter Ryan Tannehill. Plucking Kirk Cousins from the Falcons is another break-glass-in-case-of-emergency possibility.

“Daniel Jones would’ve occupied this spot if the Vikings had their way from the outset, so as long as Howell comes close to that level, they may be satisfied.”

Lewis also floated the potential for Minnesota to stick with Howell, since he has been a productive starter — in 2023 for the Washington Commanders.

Minnesota general manager Kwesi Adofo-Mensah recently said he believes in the team’s “QB incubator,” and the thinking is coach and QB whisperer Kevin O’Connell could resuscitate Howell’s stagnated career.

“Howell’s arm talent is inarguable. The questions lay in his field vision, decision-making and accuracy,” Lewis wrote. “O’Connell might believe that he and the Vikings’ offense could mitigate any potential risks those qualities could cause. In that way, Howell might not be crazily dissimilar from Sam Darnold.

“Whether that presents a high enough floor or not — for a team as committed to winning in 2025 as Minnesota is — warrants contemplation.”

What Other Questions Do The Vikings Have?

Minnesota is very much in win-now mode, but it will enter with a few question marks with training camp just a month out.

Will Jordan Addison be suspended as a result of his recent DUI? Lewis addressed that.

“He could face a three-game suspension,” Lewis wrote. “This won’t catch the Vikings off guard. They’ve known this could be a possibility, and it places further emphasis on their need to run the football effectively. Justin Jefferson and T.J. Hockenson will serve as the primary targets, while Jalen Nailor’s role will increase. Rookie receiver Tai Felton could also see significant time during this span.”

He stated the Vikings were never really in on Jaire Alexander — and aren’t for Jalen Ramsey either — while also spritzing fans with a cold dose of reality that the team is about $50 million over the cap next year.

But all that also indicates that Vikings fans should be fired up for their team to start playing.

“Can the defense maintain its dominance? Can a roster with a bevy of veterans stay healthy, and can J.J. McCarthy come anywhere close to the levels Kirk Cousins and Sam Darnold reached in the last few years?” Lewis rhetorically asked. “Answer all of those with yes, and it’s easy to dream of a fun ride.”