The Minnesota Vikings have been pretty clear that J.J. McCarthy is their guy moving forward and that he is the frontrunner to land the QB1 job during training camp this summer.
But at the NFL owners’ meetings in Florida on Wednesday, April 2, Vikings general manager Kwesi Adofo-Mensah was equally clear that the team is going to add more depth to a quarterback room currently comprised only of McCarthy and Brett Rypien — the latter of whom finished last season as No. 4 on the depth chart, which relegated him to the practice squad.
“We want [McCarthy] to be our starting quarterback for a long time,” Adofo-Mensah told Tom Pelissero of NFL Network. “Obviously he had an injury and a setback, but we’re excited about everything he’s done from that point, and we’re going to go forward with that. We’re gonna look to obviously always add depth to that room, to upgrade it.”
GettyFree agent quarterback Aaron Rodgers.
Who that quarterback might be remains up in the air, but there are only so many viable options remaining.
Minnesota appears to have all but shut the door on an acquisition of Aaron Rodgers after a week or so of deliberation late last month. However, Rodgers remains a free agent despite a standing offer from the Pittsburgh Steelers, who read like the only viable option remaining for him with the Vikings ostensibly off the table.
If Rodgers is 100% out of the mix, then the conversation likely comes down to available veterans who can both help shepherd McCarthy through his second season (though one that will serve as his rookie campaign in many ways) and step in and play competent QB if McCarthy struggles mightily and/or suffers another injury.
The three veteran names remaining with the most history of success, but who also won’t pose an overwhelming threat to McCarthy’s starting job or his status with the fans should the young QB struggle, are Ryan Tannehill, Joe Flacco and Carson Wentz.
GettyFormer Indianapolis Colts quarterback Joe Flacco.
Rodgers is looking for a starting job, one last payday and a final shot at glory. Tannehill was looking for something similar last year, which is why he didn’t take any job offers and remained a free agent all season long while waiting for an opportunity to start somewhere that never materialized.
Tannehill turns 37 years old this summer and just sidelined himself for an entire season. However, he has a winning record across a dozen years in the league, roughly 100 more TD passes than INTs, as well as a Pro Bowl and a trip to the AFC Championship Game on his resumé. Minnesota has already been in touch with him, though nothing solid has yet come of that contact.
Flacco, 40, is a former Super Bowl champion who started several games for the Indianapolis Colts last season and the Cleveland Browns the year prior, leading Cleveland to a playoff berth. He remains a free agent and is looking to play at least one more NFL season.
Wentz is the youngest of the three at just 32 years old. He served as the Kansas City Chiefs backup quarterback last season.
The Denver Broncos are sitting in a position of strength heading into the 2025 draft, a class deep with running back talent. However, the uncertain nature of the draft and the current need continue to spark speculation about J.K. Dobbins signing with the Broncos. Dobbins, 26, spent ...
The Boston Celtics are solely focused on getting themselves healthy for the playoffs. They continue to play excellent basketball despite missing some starters in the lineup. Even though the Celtics lost on Wednesday night to the Miami Heat, they have still ...
The Pelicans will have a big decision to make regarding Zion Williamson during the 2025 offseason. Since the final three years of his contract are non-guaranteed, the Pelicans can waive him if they so choose. Williamson, who has played over 30 games in only two of his six NBA ...
Golden State Warriors star Draymond Green is looking forward to facing the Los Angeles Lakers in a marquee matchup this late in the season with so much at stake. “It’s the challenge every time we play them,” Green told reporters. “Whenever you get the opportunity to play ...
The Bachelor contestant Carolina Quixano is sharing her side of the story after being caught in the middle of season 29 drama — and being pulled aside by eventual final rose recipient Juliana Pasquarosa to hash it out on camera. “I was surprised about the topic ...