Pretty Quietly, The Vikings GM Tipped His Hand on QB2 Decision
Whoever comes in needs to function with little maintenance. Be capable of getting onto the field — crucially, performing well once there — but without the assistance of ample practice reps in the lead up to a game.
Vikings GM Kwesi Adofo-Mensah may have revealed that priority when chatting with the media not long ago.
Since J.J. McCarthy and Max Brosmer are so young, the Vikings are locked into acquiring a passer with experience. No debates from anyone anywhere on that basic reality. But then there’s the added caveat of signing (or, perhaps, trading for) a quarterback who can offer good ball with minimal preparation. Tossing that factor into the mix shaves down the potential options to compete for the QB job, especially since there isn’t going to be a ton of money to spend.
The Vikings GM & The Backup QB Need
Consider Carson Wentz the prototype. After all, the press conference question asked about Wentz and whether there was regret about signing the journeyman so late.
After explaining that there wasn’t any regret, Adofo-Mensah reflected on how Wentz can get ready with minimal preparation. “He’s a guy that even when he’s healthy, doesn’t need a lot of reps,” the Vikings GM said, “His experience, his intelligence level, his ability to see over the defense. Which was great, ’cause when he was here, it gave Brosmer a chance to get reps.”
Okay, sit with those reflections for a few moments.
Carson Wentz generated praise from Adofo-Mensah largely due to an ability to master the scheme and game plan with minimal reps. As a result, the practice effort could see greater work put into Brosmer, a rookie in 2025 who needed all of the development he could get. McCarthy, too, needs work in practice, so that’s a central caveat to keep in mind: the incoming veteran needs to be low maintenance.
Note, as well, the more general mention of the factors that allowed Wentz to succeed. The experience and brains allow him to digest the intellectual side easily; having such an impressive build allows him to see throwing lanes while allowing him to hang in the pocket. Those things make Wentz worth employing, if not in Minnesota then somewhere in the NFL.
There’s then the reality of playing for so cheap — $1,197,500, per OTC.
Combine all of the factors to begin to sketch what the Vikings’ backup QB should look like.
Whoever gets added needs to be affordable. Quite possibly, that means a meaty contract where the 2026 cap charge is dropped super low, but the ideal involves someone who doesn’t make much. There’s then the need to have someone who can occupy a hybrid role as a QB1/QB2. Essentially, be good enough to genuinely compete for the starting job but not create a ruckus if the final assignment is to function as the QB2 (eliminating Aaron Rodgers, for instance).
Being someone with great size and who has a history as a former high selection helps. Wentz is that player and received praise at different points for those specific realities.
Finally, there’s the added detail from Adofo-Mensah: not needing a ton of reps to master the game plan. McCarthy and Brosmer are still young, meaning reps are urgently needed. The incoming passer needs to be comfortably competent and competitive with limited chances to actually throw the pigskin in practice.
Glancing at quarterbacks around the NFL leaves one with the impression that Jameis Winston could be a nice fit. He, too, is a huge QB who was chosen high: No. 1 overall back in 2015. He has accumulated a ton of experience and can toss the ball a mile. He’s operating under a two-year agreement for just $8 million as a Giant, a team that’s rallying around young fella Jaxson Dart and new HC John Harbaugh.
Other passers who come to mind are Justin Fields, Mac Jones, Geno Smith, Kirk Cousins, and likely a few others.
The Vikings GM didn’t say quite as much, but the preferred option rolling into 2026 is to see J.J. McCarthy solidify himself as the QB1 by a decisive margin. Carson Wentz or the passer who fulfills the Carson Wentz role can then he a high-end QB2.
