10 Backup Quarterback Ideas for the Vikings
A list of veterans who could support J.J. McCarthy in his first year as starter
If I worked in the personnel department for the Vikings and general manager Kwesi Adofo-Mensah asked for my input on who should be acquired to serve as QB2 behind J.J. McCarthy, I would be ready to talk shop on the spot.
And now I’m ready to share that input with you.
My list is comprised of players both currently available on the market and players on other rosters who would need to be acquired either by way of a trade or, in theory, by waiting for them to be released.
Here’s the list I would go through with him.
Kirk Cousins
No, not kidding! Should something happen to render McCarthy unavailable to play for a short or extended term, no one is more equipped as a plug-and-play option for Kevin O’Connell than Cousins, who operated this offense expertly for two seasons. Of course the caveat here would be Cousins coming to terms with the idea that he’s a backup in 2025. If he were to go to the effort to orchestrating an exit from Atlanta, who has moved on to his predecessor already (second-year passer Michael Penix, Jr.), you would think it’d be to start somewhere - Cleveland, the New York Giants or Pittsburgh, perhaps. That notwithstanding, Cousins represents the premier possible option for the Vikings in terms of backups to McCarthy.
Jimmy Garoppolo
Although the Los Angeles Rams just re-signed Garoppolo this offseason, they could be enticed to deal him to another team if their QB3 - Stetson Bennett - shows promising signs as a backup and / or if they become enamored with a quarterback in this draft class who could be developed into a future starter behind Matthew Stafford. In Los Angeles, Garoppolo is returning to an offense which the Vikings are currently running, so his ability to serve as a resource to McCarthy seems apparent.
Joe Flacco
Flacco checks all the boxes of what a team would desire in a backup-exclusive figure as a QB2. He’s been a 1st-round pick, he’s played 191 games in 17 seasons, he’s won a Super Bowl…it’s all there. He’s even tempered and cerebral, he has no illusions of being “the guy” anymore. This is a solid option, has the fewest barriers to make happen (he’s a free agent) and would be the least surprising outcome at this stage.
Carson Wentz
There would be some finesse on the part of the Vikings required here. While Wentz is far removed from a face of the franchise type role, he’s still just 32 years old and could have some aspiration circulating the system. Should this be considered by the Vikings, they would need to communicate to both Wentz and McCarthy that this is not a compete-to-start situation. If Wentz is complicit with that, this is another viable option with minimal hurdles and a modest price tag.
Jameis Winston
From a locker room standpoint and a mentorship standpoint, Winston is an excellent choice for the Vikings. Winston was also a high 1st-round pick and he’s now been around the block a bit with several teams. He carries a good reputation with him. From a playing style standpoint, there would be challenges. Particularly, Winston would need to corral his gunslinger mentality because it will cause friction with O’Connell, who has high expectations for how the position is played and low tolerance for irresponsibility with the football.
Kyle Trask
This is an option unfamiliar to most outside of the Florida / Tampa Bay market. Trask played college football at the University of Florida and then was a 2nd-round pick of the Buccaneers’ in 2021. He doesn’t have any significant regular season playing experience in the NFL, but he does have experience with heavy hitters in this league such as Bruce Arians, Tom Brady, Liam Coen and Baker Mayfield…all of whom rave about his intellect, attitude and potential. Should the Vikings need a backup to step onto the field to spell McCarthy for a short or intermediate period, Trask would be an intriguing option because of his youthfulness, raw talent and unknown potential.
Drew Lock
A 2nd-round pick of the Denver Broncos out of Missouri in 2019, Lock hasn’t flourished into a starter but he has caught the interest of plenty of respected football lifers. This interest has led to plenty of opportunities for Lock to cash in and play, but nothing has panned out. Now he’s on the market a month before offseason programs begin, which makes him a candidate for the Vikings’ QB2 job right now. He’s less than stellar as a mentor for McCarthy because he lacks playing experience and is still young, but he would give O’Connell and staff a live arm and a runway of development to attack. This is not a super intriguing option but it’s better than some alternatives.
Trey Lance
Another former high draft pick - No. 3 overall by San Francisco in 2021 - who hasn’t realized anywhere close to his potential, Lance represents a high ceiling / low floor option for the Vikings. Truthfully, this kind of profile is more suited for QB3 than it is for QB2, but the Vikings really have neither at this stage so Lance is worth a look. Lance played at North Dakota State, so there is a provincial angle to this, as well.
Mike White
Although not a household name in Minnesota, White is the quintessential backup option for a franchise with an already established starting quarterback. He is not good enough to challenge McCarthy and he is not good enough to carry you to the playoffs should your starter be lost for a significant amount of time, but he’s good enough to get you out of a game or through a two-game stretch and he’s an excellent resource on the sideline and in the meeting rooms for your young starter.
Jaren Hall
The Vikings have moved on from Hall once under the O’Connell era and he’s currently under contract with the Seattle Seahawks, so this seems pretty unlikely. But there’s obviously familiarity with the scheme, which is important when looking for a backup and a resource for your young starter. Truthfully, it would require a desperate situation to pursue this idea and, even then, realizing this idea would not take you out of desperation mode.