The Minnesota Vikings have made it clear over the past few days that J.J. McCarthy is now in line to be the next Minnesota Vikings starting quarterback. That was assumed to be the case when they used a first round draft pick on him last April. But then, he tore his achilles and the job was Sam Darnold’s.
Now Kevin O’Connell is set to roll with the young quarterback, but the Vikings still need a backup QB for their 2025 quarterback room. Brett Rypien isn’t going to be that guy, and Aaron Rodgers is out of the picture, at least fo now.
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Ryan Tannehill emerges as an option for the Minnesota Vikings
The MN Vikings have also touched base with Joe Flacco, who currently represents one of the better options remaining on the market. But he isn’t the only veteran the Vikings have their eye on. On Friday, according to Jordan Schultz (FOX Sports) another previously discussed option has been in talks with Minnesota, as well — Former Titans and Dolphins QB, Ryan Tannehill.
Tannehill was taken 8th overall during the 2012 draft, even though he was already 24 years old, at the time, and in the process of transitioning from wide receiver to quarterback, something that started while he was in his upperclassmen years at Texas A&M.
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Last season, the 11-year NFL veteran wasn’t even in the league. But now, the 36-year-old is ready to get back into it, even at his advanced age. Tannehill has played in 155 games in that time, including 151 starts. He’s thrown for a total of 34,881 yards with 216 touchdowns and 115 interceptions. His career completion percentage is a mediocre 64.3%.
The Minnesota Vikings would also be getting a dual-threat quarterback in Tannehill. It remains to be seen how much he would scamper during this late stage of his career, but has compiled 2,103 yards on the ground with 27 touchdowns thus far. In his last season, 2023, Tannehill ran 17 times for only 74 yards and a score.
In comparison to Flacco, Tannehill would represent a “bit” more of a youthful option. Although he hasn’t experienced the same level of success, he has seen plenty of different circumstances at the highest level. Tannehill would be able to provide McCarthy with legitimate backup help, while keeping the pressure off McCarthy for the most part.
MN Vikings must land a backup quarterback
Regardless of whether it is Tannehill, Flacco, or someone else, the Minnesota Vikings still must address their quarterback room. A desire to distance themselves from Dianna Russini’s continued reporting, that they might sign Aaron Rodgers is logical, but a backup option has to be brought in soon.
J.J. McCarthy seems to be trending in a positive direction, and his former teammates are excited for his future. Kevin O’Connell has to safeguard himself for another possible injury, though. Daniel Jones could have been that option but didn’t see the vision and went to Indianapolis.
At the end of the day it makes sense for the Vikings to line up a contingency plan over the course of the next month. What that looks like could take some time. Tannehill makes sense as a name to keep in the fold, but he certainly is not the only option.
