The Minnesota Vikings have delayed bringing in a backup quarterback for presumed starter J.J. McCarthy, but it appears a move is coming soon.
With the NFL draft just days away, head coach Kevin O’Connell shared the team’s approach to adding another QB on Monday, April 21.
“We’ve taken our time and looked at several different ways to address that,” O’Connell said, according to Kevin Seifert of ESPN. “There are possible trade options, free agents, and of course the draft. Right now, we’re working through the process of deciding which player makes the most sense to round out that quarterback group. J.J. and Brett [Rypien] are already here and getting started, but we’ll eventually complete the room and keep things competitive no matter how it shakes out.”
Vikings Likely to Add 2 QBs, but Options Dwindling
As of Monday, McCarthy and Rypien are the only quarterbacks currently on the Vikings’ roster. Like most NFL teams, Minnesota is expected to carry four quarterbacks into the summer.
The team may add a fourth option through an undrafted free agent or a young player seeking a fresh opportunity with a new team—though such players often end up on the practice squad once the regular season begins.
That said, the Vikings need a legitimate, experienced backup to support McCarthy, especially considering his injury history. McCarthy missed the entire 2024 season after suffering a knee injury in August that required two surgeries to repair.
Minnesota had the opportunity to sign Aaron Rodgers earlier this offseason—and technically still could, as he’s still a free agent. However, the team chose to pass on him, likely to avoid the intense scrutiny and pressure that would come with placing a four-time MVP behind McCarthy on the depth chart. Rodgers is also believed to be holding out for a starting role.
Kirk Cousins Resurfaces as Option for Vikings
Another possible scenario is a trade involving Atlanta Falcons quarterback Kirk Cousins. This idea gained traction on Monday after ESPN’s Adam Schefter reported that both the Vikings and the Pittsburgh Steelers have shown interest in acquiring him.
“Atlanta has requested that any team trading for Cousins cover $20 million of the remaining $37.5 million in guaranteed money on his deal,” Schefter noted. “So far, no team has agreed to those terms, and none are expected to. However, there’s a belief that a team—possibly the Vikings or Steelers—might be willing to take on about $10 million of that amount.”
Cousins may be open to a return to Minnesota given his past success there, but at 37 years old, he’s seeking a starting role next season. His contract includes a no-trade clause, giving him control over his destination.
If Cousins doubts his ability to win the starting job over McCarthy, he might reject a move back to the Vikings.