The Minnesota Vikings have two preseason games in the rearview, and in those matchups, their two main backup quarterbacks didn’t look particularly effective: J.J. McCarthy and Carson Wentz.
The pair has a chance this Friday at the Denver Broncos to end on a high note, to be sure. Yet, despite rostering three notable quarterbacks for the last five months, along with Max Brosmer, the pursuit of an alternative before the start of the regular season cannot be ruled out.
Why Another Vikings QB Move Is Still Possible
McCarthy Has Struggled while Wentz Has Been Merely Insurance
Against the New York Giants and Baltimore Ravens’ backup players, McCarthy has completed 9 passes on 17 attempts (53%) for 115 yards. Of course, he hasn’t played much and was reportedly pulled from the contest versus Baltimore due to a minor injury.
Wentz has looked sharper, but just by a whisker, and the optics might simply make him look better than McCarthy, which has not been a high bar. As in – – it’s not a hard act to follow. By comparison, though, Wentz has been efficient, completing 18 of 25 passes for 173 yards, one touchdown, and no interceptions.
So Minnesota must keep its eyes open. McCarthy remains the long-term project, while Wentz is the seasoned backup. If neither inspires confidence as a viable option behind Kyler Murray, another quarterback cannot be ruled out.
The Upcoming Free Agent Options
As it stands, before this Sunday’s leaguewide roster cuts, these free-agent quarterbacks are available, among others:
- Jimmy Garoppolo
- Desmond Ridder
- John Wolford
Garoppolo could be intriguing, but he may also be semi-retired. Ridder and Wolford – – former Vikings – – would not be an upgrade over Wentz.
From the upcoming cutdown market, a handful of names will emerge. A list could potentially look like this:
- Aidan O’Connell (LV)
- Cooper Rush (ATL)
- Bailey Zappe (NYJ)
O’Connell’s strong performance in the Las Vegas Raiders‘ second preseason game is noteworthy, yet his roster spot with Las Vegas remains uncertain. With Kirk Cousins and rookie Fernando Mendoza claiming QB1 and QB2 jobs, it’s unclear if O’Connell will hit the active roster or practice squad.
Similarly, Rush faces a challenging situation in Atlanta; despite his solid play, undrafted rookie Jack Strand’s impressive showing complicates Rush’s path to a roster spot. The Vikings also hosted Rush for a tryout earlier this summer; he may know the drill about Minnesota possibly dialing up as quarterback insurance.
Zappe appears to be the most vulnerable, having fallen behind Geno Smith and Cade Klubnik on the Jets’ depth chart.
How about a Trade?
A trade is less likely – – because why would general manager Nolan Teasley want to trade draft picks when the Vikings thought they had the quarterback room all taken care of with Murray, McCarthy, Wentz, and Brosmer?
Still, trade alternatives might look like this:
- Anthony Richardson (IND)
- Will Levis (TEN)
- Nick Mullens (JAX)
- Drew Lock (SEA)
- Spencer Rattler (NO)
Even though the Colts want to keep three quarterbacks, Richardson allegedly wants out of Indianapolis and remains a trade option. Tennessee might eventually trade Levis, given their surplus of quarterbacks. Mullens is definitively Jacksonville’s backup, but his prior work with Kevin O’Connell makes him worth inquiring about.
Lock is a solid QB2 for Seattle and would be difficult to acquire. He’s included here because of his connection to Teasley in Seattle. In New Orleans, Rattler is competing with Zach Wilson and could become available.
It’s also worth noting that if the Vikings are in the market to trade for a different quarterback, McCarthy could, in theory, be expendable.
Pray for a Turnaround?
The NFL is fluid, and one or two strong showings this Friday could change the discourse on McCarthy or Wentz. The Vikings basically need one guy to look great. It would go a long way in taming the current fears.
The likeliest outcome is Minnesota waiting. Despite McCarthy’s erratic preseason performance, the Vikings invested a 1st-round pick in him and therefore aren’t pressured to decide his long-term future this August.
Meanwhile, Wentz has proven adequate as a backup, and Murray is solidified as the starter. Acquiring another quarterback now would necessitate sacrificing a roster spot and potentially expending a draft pick.
The Vikings likely expect McCarthy to improve and Wentz to remain a reliable backup. But a complete failure by either in the final preseason game would make external options much more difficult to disregard.
All of this, too, could be moot if Murray plays 17 games. There’s always that.
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VikesNow Verdict: McCarthy’s shaky preseason and Wentz’s average performance were unexpected. A rapidly changing quarterback market gives the Vikings reason to keep all options on the table.
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