Vikings QB2 Trade Candidate Is Not For Sale, Says His Boss
The Minnesota Vikings still haven’t paired first-year starter J.J. McCarthy with any veteran passer who can mentor him and take over if needed. Only last year’s QB3, Brett Rypien, is under contract. The possibility of the experienced backup just getting promoted to QB2 can’t be dismissed, but it would hardly be an upgrade.
Vikings QB2 Trade Candidate Not For Sale, Says His Boss
There are still some signal-callers available, such as Joe Flacco or Ryan Tannehill. A trade could also be an option. Kwesi Adofo-Mensah, Minnesota’s general manager in his fourth offseason, has a trading background and has brought that mindset to the NFL.
Will Levis is entering his third offseason and could be a guy the Vikings eye for that backup quarterback job. However, the Tennessee Titans, the team that drafted him 33rd overall in 2023, don’t think he should be in that conversation.
From the owner’s meeting, a Tennessee executive denied that idea.
That’s a false report,” Titans President of Football Operations Chad Brinker said on Sunday. “We have not contacted anybody, and nobody has contacted us, about Will Levis. I don’t think anything has changed from the time somebody asked me about this a month ago.”
Levis could be the odd man out a month from now when the Titans still employ recently signed veteran backup Brandon Allen and draft a rookie passer with their first overall pick. Miami’s Cam Ward is expected to be the selection. Brinker continued:
“What’s the plan with Will Levis? The plan with Will Levis is he has a chance to compete for a starting job next year. And that’s like every player that’s on our roster. It’s no different for Will. I see him in our facility, he’s working hard. Everybody knows he’s a great kid, he’s a hard worker and he’s going to give it everything he has. And we’re going to continue to work with Will Levis.”
Coming out of Kentucky in 2023, Levis was viewed as a first-rounder by most in the pre-draft process but the Titans snatched him with the top pick in the second round. He took over for incumbent starter Ryan Tannehill halfway through the year and quickly made an impact, throwing for four touchdowns in his starting debut.
His numbers cooled off, though, and he registered eight scores and four picks throughout his rookie campaign. Last season, he struggled early in the season, and Mason Rudolph got some starts.
In two seasons and 21 starts, Levis has thrown for 3,899 yards, 21 touchdowns, and 16 interceptions.
Surely, the offensive line and the lack of weapons didn’t help him grow into the best version of himself, but he hasn’t shown too much starting-caliber player in his NFL journey.
However, Levis has a rocket arm and the prototypical size that might intrigue a coach like Kevin O’Connell.
It now remains to be seen whether Brinker was serious or just trying to drive the price for the QB, who will turn 26 in June.
If Levis is indeed not on the market, another trade candidate could be Aidan O’Connell from the Raiders. Of course, Adofo-Mensah could also acquire a quarterback via free agency at any point.
Editor’s Note: Information from PFF, Over The Cap, and Pro Football Reference helped with this article.
Janik Eckardt is a football fan who likes numbers and stats. The Vikings became his favorite team despite their quarterback at the time, Christian Ponder. He is a walking soccer encyclopedia, loves watching sitcoms, and prefers Classic rock over other genres. Follow him on Twitter if you like the Vikings: @JanikEckardt