Vikings Linked to $195 Million Award-Winning QB in Free Agency

   

Even if J.J. McCarthy is the Minnesota Vikings’ starting quarterback in 2025, they could need more experienced depth behind him than what they currently have in Brett Rypien. That is where Ryan Tannehill could save the day for the Vikings.

J.J. McCarthy, Minnesota Vikings

A former wide receiver who converted to quarterback halfway during his college tenure, Tannehill was the No. 8 overall pick in the 2012 draft by the Miami Dolphins.

Tannehill, who turns 37 in July, is one of the younger remaining options for the Vikings.

“A veteran QB is certainly on the Vikings’ radar, and I fully expect them to add one this offseason. They want an option in case McCarthy gets injured again or if he looks like he’s not quite ready to take the job over,” Star Tribune’s Ben Goessling wrote in response to a fan in the “Access Vikings” newsletter on March 15.

“The list of veteran options is starting to shrink, but here would be two other names I’d keep an eye on that haven’t come up much yet: Joe Flacco and Ryan Tannehill.”

Pro Football Talk’s Mike Florio reported on March 15 that Flacco was “in play” for the Vikings.

Tannehill was a popular speculative option for the Vikings in 2024 before they signed Sam Darnold in free agency. The 2019 AP Comeback Player of the Year – and the PFWA Most Improved Player – in 2019, Tannehill was out of work in 2024.

He completed 64.8% of his passes for 1,616 yards, 4 touchdowns, and 7 interceptions in 10 games (eight starts) for the Tennessee Titans in 2023.