The Minnesota Vikings are five games away from closing the book on the 2025 regular season, but the biggest storyline surrounding the franchise isn’t about playoff positioning or late-season heroics. It’s about a decision made months ago that continues to cast a long shadow over everything else: the quarterback room.
Back in March, the Vikings made a bold move, handing the keys to the offense to 22-year-old J.J. McCarthy.
On paper, it was a calculated risk with long-term upside. McCarthy had the pedigree, the poise, and the potential to be the future of the franchise.
But the issue wasn’t the pick itself-it was the lack of a safety net behind him.
Minnesota’s approach to the backup quarterback position in 2025 has been, frankly, puzzling. After missing out on Sam Darnold and Daniel Jones-both of whom found starting gigs elsewhere-the team scrambled.
They brought in Sam Howell late in the offseason, only to cut him before the season began. That led to the signing of Carson Wentz, who hadn’t taken a snap in months.
It felt more like a move made out of desperation than strategy.
Now, with three different quarterbacks already having started through 12 games, the Vikings are circling back to McCarthy in Week 14. Not because he’s earned it with dominant play-he’s still learning on the fly-but because the alternatives haven’t panned out. Rookie Max Brosmer got a look last week, and the moment looked a little too big for him.
So where does that leave Minnesota heading into 2026? The clear path forward is to stay the course with McCarthy and continue to invest in his development.
But if the Vikings want to avoid another quarterback carousel next season, they’ll need to be much more aggressive-and smarter-when it comes to finding a veteran presence to pair with their young QB. Here are five names that could make sense.
Daniel Jones
Let’s start with the one that got away. Jones was on the Vikings’ radar last offseason but ended up elsewhere, backing up Sam Darnold.
Now, he’s projected to be one of the top free-agent quarterbacks on the market. According to league insiders, Minnesota still likes Jones-and that interest could be mutual.
Jones wouldn’t come cheap, especially if he draws interest from QB-needy teams like Indianapolis. But if the Vikings want to give McCarthy a year to develop without the pressure of starting every week, Jones could be the bridge quarterback they missed out on in 2025.
He’s got starting experience, mobility, and enough upside to keep the offense afloat. It would be a pricey fix for a problem they created, but it might be necessary.
Davis Mills
If Minnesota wants a steadier hand without breaking the bank, Davis Mills deserves a look. He’s flown under the radar this season but made the most of his opportunity when C.J. Stroud went down in Houston, leading the Texans to three straight wins.
Mills is under contract through 2026, so acquiring him would require a trade. But he checks a lot of boxes: experienced, affordable, and capable of stepping in without derailing the offense.
He may not be a long-term starter, but as a high-end backup who can win games in a pinch? He fits the mold.
Yes, the Vikings passed on Mills in the 2021 draft in favor of Kellen Mond, but that’s water under the bridge. What matters now is finding someone who can stabilize the QB room if McCarthy hits a rough patch. Mills has proven he can do that.
Mac Jones
This one stings a bit. The Vikings had a shot at Mac Jones last offseason but watched him sign a two-year deal with the 49ers for just $4.75 million guaranteed. Since then, he’s stepped in for an injured Brock Purdy and helped keep San Francisco in the playoff hunt.
Jones has shown he can thrive in the right environment, and Minnesota offers plenty of support-between the weapons on offense and Kevin O’Connell’s quarterback-friendly system. If the 49ers are willing to listen to trade offers, the Vikings could pounce.
At 27, Jones is entering his prime and already has 49 career starts under his belt. He’s not flashy, but he’s competent, and that might be exactly what this team needs behind McCarthy.
Joe Flacco
Yes, he’s 41 next season. Yes, he’s more coach than quarterback at this point. But don’t overlook the value Flacco could bring to the Vikings’ locker room.
Minnesota reportedly had interest in Flacco earlier this year, but he signed with Cleveland before the draft. His production has been solid, and his experience is unmatched among the available options. If the Vikings want someone who can guide McCarthy through the ups and downs of NFL life while still being capable of stepping in if needed, Flacco makes sense.
He wouldn’t be the long-term answer, but he could be the right mentor at the right time.
Anthony Richardson
Now here’s the wildcard. If the Vikings want to swing big, they could explore a trade for Anthony Richardson, a former top-five pick who hasn’t quite found his footing in Indianapolis.
There’s a connection here-Kevin O’Connell reportedly believed in Richardson’s upside during the 2023 draft process. And Richardson is said to be intrigued by the idea of playing for a coach from the Sean McVay tree, which O’Connell is firmly part of.
It would be a bold move, no doubt. But if the Colts are willing to move on, and the price is right, Richardson could come in and compete with McCarthy in camp. It wouldn’t necessarily mean giving up on McCarthy-it could just be a way to raise the floor of the quarterback room and bet on upside.
The Bottom Line
The Vikings made their bet on J.J. McCarthy, and there’s still every reason to believe he can be the guy long-term. But if 2025 taught Minnesota anything, it’s that rolling into a season without a proven veteran behind a young quarterback is a gamble that can derail an entire year.
Whether it’s a steady hand like Davis Mills, a high-upside reclamation like Mac Jones, or a mentor like Joe Flacco, the Vikings need to prioritize experience and stability in the quarterback room this offseason. The McCarthy era is just beginning-but it needs a stronger foundation to truly take off.