Vikings Urged to Go After Another QB
It was a hot topic in March and April, as the Vikings continued to drag out the acquisition of a new quarterback. Only starter J.J. McCarthy and QB3 from last year, Brett Rypien, were under contract at that point, and fans and analysts alike requested a new backup quarterback.
Vikings Urged to Go After Another QB
Ultimately, the club landed Sam Howell in a trade with the Seattle Seahawks during the final day of the draft. Howell started the entire 2023 campaign for the Commanders, but struggled in his backup role in Seattle. Neither Rypien nor undrafted rookie Max Brosmer should be considered respectable backup options at this point in their respective careers.
Kristopher Knox from Bleacher Report assembled a list of quarterbacks on the trade block, and the name Jameis Winston came up. Russell Wilson is the starter for the New York Giants, while first-rounder Jaxson Dart is the future. There’s no place for Winston.
Here is the explanation for why the Vikings were listed as one of two destinations for Winston: “While Minnesota did trade for Sam Howell this offseason, it doesn’t have a ton of experience behind second-year quarterback and first-year starter J.J. McCarthy.”
Sure, having a backup quarterback with more experience would be a nice benefit behind a young starter, but the Vikings had every opportunity to do that and opted against it. Howell’s career numbers: 20 games (18 starts), 62.6% completion, 4,139 passing yards, 22 passing touchdowns, 23 interceptions, 300 rushing yards, and six rushing touchdowns.
He has some intriguing physical tools. The interceptions can partly be attributed to him being asked to lead the league in pass attempts in a struggling offense in 2023. Head coach Kevin O’Connell has shown that he prefers a gunslinger at backup quarterback, with Nick Mullens holding that position for the last three seasons. Howell is more mobile and has a stronger arm as well.
Still, Winston has more experience and has proven that he can put up big numbers in the NFL. He also fits the gunslinger archetype, considering his historic year with 33 touchdowns and 30 INTs in 2019. Throughout his career, he has appeared in 105 games and collected over 24,000 yards, 154 passing touchdowns and 111 interceptions.
Knox about Winston: “The New York Giants signed Jameis Winston to a two-year, $8 million deal this offseason, which suggests they like his value as a multi-year backup. However, Winston may never get a chance to be the Giants’ starter because they also signed Russell Wilson and then used a first-round draft pick on Jaxson Dart. Dart is the future and Wilson, it would seem, is the present.”
Winston has an infectious personality, as evidenced by his performance in Cleveland last year when the Browns rallied behind him for a few weeks. However, his tendency to put the ball in harm’s way can drive coaches nuts, and he usually ends up back on the bench sooner rather than later.
“While Winston may not be completely expendable, a few teams should see if he is available,” Knox added. “The 31-year-old does have an alarming turnover problem, but he can still stretch the field and pilot a high-powered passing attack. In one of his seven starts with Cleveland last season, Winston threw for 497 yards, four touchdowns and three interceptions. While Winston can be an effective spot starter and is a tremendous locker room leader, he should most interest teams looking for a dedicated backup and mentor. The Minnesota Vikings and Titans would both make sense.”
Early reports from Vikings training camp suggest that Howell has been inconsistent. It’s still very early, and he should get some more time to learn the offense, adjust to the defense, and get comfortable with his teammates.
If the struggles continue and none of the three backups show promise in the preseason, the Vikings could follow their 2022 approach, when Mullens was acquired in August, as neither Kellen Mond nor Sean Mannion proved effective. We should wait another two weeks before having that conversation, though.
The 31-year-old Winston could be a name to watch at that point.
Editor’s Note: Information from PFF, Over The Cap, and Pro Football Reference helped with this article.