The Quarterback Once Rumored to the Vikings Looks Available Yet Again
Making a move for Justin Fields makes a lot of sense.
Earlier in the week, Vikings Head Coach Kevin O’Connell discussed the need to enhance the quarterback competition in 2026. Doing so will bring the best out of J.J. McCarthy while shoring up the depth, proactively fortifying the position if the kid continues to struggle. Mr. Fields appears to be someone who could be a nice option.
Quarterback Justin Fields as a Vikings Fit
On a basic level, Mr. Fields offers a lot to like.
The No. 11 selection from the 2021 NFL Draft hasn’t yet arrived at his 27th birthday. He comes in at a reasonably imposing 6’3″ and 227 pounds while boasting a sizzling 4.45 forty. Back in 2022, Fields actually came in at 9th in MVP voting. That’s the season that saw the passer offer the Bears 60.4% passing for 2,242 yards, 17 touchdowns, and 11 interceptions alongside an elite 1,143 rushing yards and 8 touchdowns.
In opportunities with the Bears, Steelers, and Jets, Fields has failed to fully solidify the starting quarterback position. Why would anything be different in the Twin Cities? The answer is that there’s no guarantee that things would be different.
Fields oozes talent and yet he’s just 16-37 for his career. The 61.4% completion rate is better than J.J. McCarthy’s but substandard for the modern NFL. So, too, does the 52/32 TD-to-INT split leave something to be desired.
But then, on the other side of things, is the reality of where he has played.
Prior to Ben Johnson arriving, the Chicago Bears were a mess of a team. Mike Tomlin was a tremendous head coach for the Steelers but that offense hasn’t exactly been lights out recently. And then the Jets. Ah, the Jets. What is there to say of that disaster of a franchise?
Complicating Fields’ availability — or lack thereof, as the case may be — is the reality of still being under contract with New York. Aaron Glenn’s team could decide to hang on, but doing so appears unlikely given what took place in 2025.
Moving on from Fields prior to June 1st would mean saving just $1 million. Designating the cut as occurring after that magical date — June 1st — would mean recouping $10 million in cap space for 2026 (at the expense of financial flexibility in 2027, an exchange NFL GMs are often keen to make).
Alternatively, the Jets could see $11 million saved with a trade. A Day 3 selection, presumably, would be enough to get the job done. The Vikings have eight selections sitting in the coffers alongside the promise of another being added due to the compensatory picks process.
Ratcheting up the competition with Justin Fields is by no means a certainty. What it is, though, is a reasonable path forward for a team that needs a quarterback who can occupy a unique position.
Whoever gets added needs to be capable of starting — ideally, performing well while doing so — while also being willing to accept a QB2 assignment if Mr. McCarthy wins the job (ruling out someone like Aaron Rodgers, someone who likely won’t accept being a backup passer anytime soon).
In the past, there have been rumblings about Minnesota desiring Fields. After several seasons as a Bear alongside work for the Steelers and Jets, Fields may finally get a horn slapped onto his helmet since he ticks a lot of boxes.
With only J.J. McCarthy and Max Brosmer currently under contract, the Vikings will almost certainly add another quarterback this offseason. Whether that ends up being Justin Fields or another option, competition and insurance remain unavoidable priorities.
