The Minnesota Vikings were forced to replace quarterback Carson Wentz last week after he sustained a season-ending shoulder injury that necessitated surgery. With Wentz out of the picture, J.J. McCarthy is the clear starter for the rest of the season. Max Brosmer, an undrafted rookie, was the only other quarterback in the organization until the Vikings signed John Wolford to their practice squad.
However, a backup stable that includes the untested Brosmer and Wolford may not give the Vikings entire trust in their quarterback room. They may still want to trade for a seasoned improvement to supplement McCarthy.
According to ESPN’s NFL Insider Adam Schefter, the Vikings “could still make a move” for a quarterback before Tuesday’s deadline.
“Kirk Cousins would make sense, but the Falcons have showed little willingness to deal him, and Atlanta requires an experienced veteran backup of their own. The Giants have two seasoned backup quarterbacks: Russell Wilson and Jameis Winston. According to league sources, Minnesota might yet make a play for a quarterback before Tuesday’s deadline.
ESPN’s Adam Schefter on the Vikings quarterback trade
Cousins has asked for a trade, but he may be too high-profile for the Vikings to consider as a backup to McCarthy. After all, at the first indication of trouble, fans would undoubtedly demand McCarthy be replaced by the four-time Pro Bowler.
However, the same could be said of getting Russell Wilson. However, Jameis Winston could be the ideal target for the Vikings to acquire because he is already accustomed to being a backup and is signed through next season.
Winston would undoubtedly add more experience to the Vikings’ quarterback room, and the former No. 1 overall choice, like Wentz, would be a solid fill-in if McCarthy was injured again.