The Other Vikings QB Struggled, Too
Quite possibly, the Minnesota mandate will be to add a pair of passers. Why? Because the other Vikings QB struggled in 2025, too.
Generating most of the attention has been J.J. McCarthy, the oft-injured sophomore who failed to elevate the Vikings. UDFA rookie Max Brosmer was functioning as a backup, someone to develop behind the scenes for a rainy day. Much wisdom in that approach, folks, but the storm clouds started gathering sooner than Minnesota’s top decision makers expected, forcing Brosmer onto the field before he was ready.
The Other Vikings QB & The Need for a Pair of Passers
The top decision makers in the Twin Cities need to pursue a pair of aims: elevating both the floor and the ceiling at quarterback.
In fairness, those twin ideals could get solved in the same person. McCarthy, quite possibly, could end up crushing the offseason. If so, then he could show up in Eagan for training camp as the unquestioned solution, someone who offers low-end play that still allows the team to compete alongside high-end play that tilts the game decisively in the Vikings’ direction. Using the No. 10 pick on a passer is aimed at bringing someone to town for precisely those abilities.
Alternatively, Minnesota could opt to bring a pair of quarterbacks to town, slotting in players to jobs that fit their skills and abilities (or, as the case may be, lack thereof).
Bringing Carson Wentz back makes some sense. He can offer sturdy depth and leadership. So, too, does he offer the benefit of having been part of a couple of Super Bowl seasons while being someone who owns ideal size. Much to be said for Wentz as the QB3.
The assignment would then be to grab a starter. Or, put differently, someone who could be the starter.
A lot of the attention has been on Kyler Murray. The smaller quarterback doesn’t lack for talent. Mr. Murray would open up the offense in the sense that he could allow Justin Jefferson and Jordan Addison to feast deep down the field.
The issues are that he’s small, has been injured quite a lot, and appears to be an odd fit for the scheme. The past tidbit about the studying clause in a former contract is a mixture of bizarre and concerning.
Let’s roll with the Arizona passer to clarify what the QB room could look like in 2026. With Murray, the QB depth chart:
- QB1: Kyler Murray
- QB2: J.J. McCarthy
- QB3: Carson Wentz
- QB4: Max Brosmer
Nice mix within that cluster of talent. Murray is all about winning in 2026 while McCarthy is about building up a franchise passer for the next decade. In Wentz, the Vikings have a competent passer who can compete if disaster strikes. Meanwhile, Brosmer keeps growing on the practice squad, aiming to someday be a strong QB2 as a pro.
In contrast, Minnesota could opt against a surefire starter like Murray, instead bringing in someone to compete for the QB1 job. Think Kirk Cousins, Malik Willis, Justin Fields, and other passers who possess upside and flaws. A hypothetical depth chart:
- QB1: J.J. McCarthy
- QB2: Kirk Cousins
- QB3: Carson Wentz
- QB4: Max Brosmer
In this scenario, the Vikings stabilize the floor but don’t raise the ceiling in the same manner. That is, unless, McCarthy smashes the upcoming offseason or Cousins suddenly becomes elite. Still, the possibility is out there if for no reason other than the economic fit.
At the end of the day, there’s much that remains to be determined. What is known, though, is that nobody played well enough last year at quarterback, possibly necessitating a pair of additions. J.J. McCarthy and Max Brosmer both need to be challenged.
Free agency gets going on Monday, March 9th.
