Vikings Insider Names 3 Backup Quarterback Options for Minnesota
When in doubt, trust Tom Pelissero and Ben Goessling; the NFL insider and Vikings insider are about as reliable as it gets for Minnesota Vikings news.
First, the update that arrived this morning from Pelissero: “The #Vikings have rejected multiple trade calls on J.J. McCarthy, telling other teams they’re moving forward with him as their quarterback, sources say. The team plans to add a veteran. But they’re not pursuing Aaron Rodgers at this time. McCarthy now enters the offseason as QB1.”
Pelissero goes on: “The #Vikings continue to explore multiple options for a veteran QB addition, whether through free agency or a trade.”
Now kick it over to Goessling for a bit more specificity: “Said it with @PAOnTheMic yesterday, but here’s where I’d keep my eye for #Vikings backup QB options: a veteran with a clear role like Flacco or Tannehill, or a trade. The comp pick formula matters here. They’re also excited about where J.J. McCarthy is at.”
Vikings Insider on MIN’s Backup QB Route
If, in fact, Minnesota is fully committed to J.J. McCarthy being the top passer, then bringing in an elder statesman makes a ton of sense.
Joe Flacco — someone who has a supporter in PurplePTSD’s Janik Eckardt — is a Super Bowl champion who first got into the NFL in 2008. Folks, McCarthy was born in 2003, meaning that elementary school was just getting started for the Michigan alumnus when Flacco’s pro career was getting off the ground.
Flacco has played in 196 career games, starting 191. He has never been to the Pro Bowl or been an All Pro, but he did earn the Comeback Player of the Year Award in 2023. Lots of wisdom with Mr. Flacco, who is 40.
Consider, as well, the appeal of Ryan Tannehill.
He, too, is a veteran. Tannehill is 36, first getting into the NFL back in 2012. His career involves playing in 155 games, starting 151. A bit like Flacco, the individual awards are pretty skimpy apart from winning the Comeback Player of the Year Award (2019). During that same season, Tannehill got sent to his lone Pro Bowl.
Flacco was chosen at No. 18 overall and Tannehill at No. 8 overall. Both will understand the pressure that comes with being a highly-picked passer.
Joe Flacco’s career has involved completing 61.7% of his passes for 45,697 passing yards, 257 touchdowns, and 162 interceptions. The career record sits at 105-86. Ryan Tannehill’s career has involved completing 64.3% of his passes for 34,881 yards, 216 touchdowns, and 115 interceptions. The career record sits at 81-70.
In 2024, Flacco played on a single-season deal for $4,500,000. Last year, Tannehill didn’t play. Presumably, any deal for the former Dolphin and Titan would be cheap.
The other option that Goessling mentions is looking to the trade market. Keep in mind that that’s the route that was taken back in 2022 when bringing Nick Mullens to town. Lightning could strike twice as Kwesi Adofo-Mensah snags a strong QB2 from a team that’s looking to move in a different direction from one of their veteran passers.
Other possibilities that have been mentioned include Drew Lock and Jameis Winston.
At the end of the day, there’s some uncertainty about how Minnesota’s leadership will support J.J. McCarthy. The good news is simply that they’re considering all options while eliminating the one that didn’t make a ton of sense.
Editor’s Note: Information from Pro Football Reference and Over the Cap helped with this piece.
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K. Joudry is the Senior Editor for Vikings Territory and PurplePTSD. He has been covering the Vikings full time since the summer of 2021. He can be found on social media (Bluesky & Twitter). If you feel so inclined, subscribe to his Substack, The Vikings Gazette, for more great Vikings content.