The Minnesota Vikings may have christened J.J. McCarthy as their QB1 for the upcoming season -- but the need for a veteran insurance policy remains a priority.
Minnesota Star Tribune beat reporter Ben Goessling said the team admittedly did not anticipate losing Daniel Jones to the Indianapolis Colts, which sent them on a search for a veteran backup.
The Aaron Rodgers drama is nearing its end with Rodgers visiting the Pittsburgh Steelers on Friday. However, as the Vikings spent a week entertaining the possibility of signing the four-time veteran quarterback, several other veterans have signed elsewhere.
Including Jones, who will compete with Anthony Richardson for the Colts' starting job, 16 other quarterbacks signed backup quarterback contracts -- including experienced veteran backups like Jacoby Brissett, Marcus Mariota, Cooper Rush and Gardner Minshew.
That's left the remaining free agency pool shallow, and another name was crossed off the Vikings list on Friday.
ESPN's Jordan Raanan, confirming a report from Fox Sports, reported that Jameis Winston agreed to a two-year, $8 million deal with the New York Giants on March 21. The $4 million-a-year deal isn't the steepest investment in Winston as a starter, but before the draft, Winston appears to have the inside lane for the starting job in New York.
ESPN's Dan Orlovsky, previously playing quarterback matchmaker, considered Winston an ideal fit for the Vikings if Jones walked.
Filling in for an injured Deshaun Watson last season, Winston won his first start with the Cleveland Browns, throwing for 334 yards and three touchdowns in a 29-24 victory over the Baltimore Ravens in Week 6. However, Winston came back down to earth, finishing 2-5 as a starter to the tune of 291 yards passing per game, 12 touchdowns and 12 interceptions.
Under the tutelage of Kevin O'Connell, there's no telling how Winston would fare in the Vikings' offense.
Ideally, Minnesota will find a veteran backup who is both helpful in the development of McCarthy and also brings confidence to the team if he sees the playing field.
The Vikings currently have Brett Rypien under contract along with McCarthy and will need to fill the rest of the quarterback room come spring workouts.
