The Complete Vikings QB Outlook: Pitfalls, Possibility, and The Best Plan for 2026
Right now, the Vikings QB situation can get boiled down to a pair of options: J.J. McCarthy alongside Max Brosmer. Neither fulfilled the hopes and expectations, creating a need for reinforcements.
At this stage, we see through a glass darkly, as the Apostle Paul once said. Very soon, the possibilities will get shrunk down to ironclad certainty. Look for a single passer to be added, at minimum, but with the possibility of a second. What’s the lay of the land at quarterback for the Vikings and NFL more broadly around?
The Vikings QB Pitfalls, Possibilities, and Plan
— The Starting Quarterbacks Around the NFL —
| AFC North | AFC South |
| Baltimore Ravens: Lamar Jackson | Houston Texans: C.J. Stroud |
| Cincinnati Bengals: Joe Burrow | Indianapolis Colts: Daniel Jones |
| Cleveland Browns: Shedeur Sanders? | Jacksonville Jaguars: Trevor Lawrence |
| Pittsburgh Steelers: Will Howard? | Tennessee Titans: Cam Ward |
Notes: The Steelers and possibly the Texans rise to the top as teams hunting for QB help. Pittsburgh has a clear need if Aaron Rodgers retires while a Stroud departure could mean Houston looks to upgrade. All of Lawrence, Lamar, and Burrow are excellent QB1s. Ward could get there in time.
| AFC West | AFC East |
| Denver Broncos: Bo Nix | Buffalo Bills: Josh Allen |
| Kansas City Chiefs: Patrick Mahomes | Miami Dolphins: Tua Tagovailoa |
| Las Vegas Raiders: Fernando Mendoza | New England Patriots: Drake Maye |
| Los Angeles Chargers: Justin Herbert | New York Jets: Justin Fields |
Notes: The AFC West appears completely settled, but that’s an opinion that needs further clarity. Both of Nix and Mahomes are coming off serious injury, possibly creating a need for a fill-in solution. And then LV will almost certainly drop Geno Smith before then drafting Mendoza at No. 1 in the 2026 NFL Draft. The AFC East appears certain to see openings emerge for the Dolphins and Jets.
| NFC North | NFC South |
| Chicago Bears: Caleb Williams | Atlanta Falcons: Michael Penix Jr. |
| Detroit Lions: Jared Goff | Carolina Panthers: Bryce Young |
| Green Bay Packers: Jordan Love | New Orleans Saints: Tyler Shough |
| Minnesota Vikings: J.J. McCarthy | Tampa Bay Buccaneers: Baker Mayfield |
Notes: In the NFC North, only the Vikings possess uncertainty. Goff is a nice example of how changing teams can be beneficial for all sides (Mayfield, too). The Falcons are a dark horse contender for someone since Kevin Stefanski is well-respected and Michael Penix Jr. is coming off the serious knee injury.
| NFC East | NFC West |
| Dallas Cowboys: Dak Prescott | Arizona Cardinals: Kyler Murray |
| New York Giants: Jaxson Dart | Los Angeles Rams: Matthew Stafford |
| Philadelphia Eagles: Jalen Hurts | San Francisco 49ers: Brock Purdy |
| Washington Commanders: Jayden Daniels | Seattle Seahawks: Sam Darnold |
Notes: Basically all of the NFC East is going to feel good about the QB spots. Presumably, the Giants don’t hire John Harbaugh unless the new skipper commits to Mr. Dart. And then there’s Darnold over in Seattle.
NFL Quarterbacks to Watch
Free Agents to Consider:
- Malik Willis, Green Bay Packers
- Russell Wilson, New York Giants
- Aaron Rodgers, Pittsburgh Steelers
- Tyler Huntley, Baltimore Ravens
- Marcus Mariota, Washington Commanders
- Kenny Pickett, Las Vegas Raiders
- Jimmy Garoppolo, Los Angeles Rams
Trade Targets:
- Kyler Murray, Arizona Cardinals
- Mac Jones, San Francisco 49ers (Read More)
- Justin Fields, New York Jets
- Jameis Winston, New York Giants
- Anthony Richardson, Indianapolis Colts
- Will Levis, Tennessee Titans
- Davis Mills (C.J. Stroud?), Houston Texans
- Spencer Rattler, New Orleans Saints
Cut Candidates:
- Kirk Cousins, Atlanta Falcons
- Kyler Murray, Arizona Cardinals
- Justin Fields, New York Jets
- Tua Tagovailoa, Miami Dolphins
- Geno Smith, Las Vegas Raiders
If the Vikings enjoy being annoyed, then pursuing some mixture of Aaron Rodgers and Russell Wilson (please no) would do the trick.
In reality, the Murray decision probably comes down to cost. There are legitimate concerns — the injuries, being a poor scheme fit, has no playoff success, and he’s smaller — but he would allow the Vikings to actually complete a pass. Something to be said for that. Oh, and he’s 28 and a former No. 1 selection.
Left to me, Justin Fields would become Minnesota’s newest quarterback. The former Bear, Steeler, and Jet has good size and great leadership. So, too, can he run very well and was a former opening-round selection.
Adding Richardson would mean inserting competition for McCarthy, albeit someone who possesses flaws. Standing above all others are the injury concerns and a completion percentage that’s unfathomably bad. Bringing him to town would be about building up the QB3 spot, not landing a Week 1 starter for 2026.
Malik Willis appears to be a nice option for the Vikings, but I’m guessing he goes to the Steelers. The shuffle from the NFC North to the AFC North will be made easier by the Steelers having an open QB1 spot alongside Mike McCarthy having had a lengthy stay as the Packers’ coach. Willis didn’t overlap with McCarthy, but the shared familiarity with how things go in Wisconsin will make the Steelers assignment easier.
Options such as Winston, Garoppolo, Mariota, and other mid-tier vets make some sense as depth, but should Carson Wentz be retained for that job? Best guess: one of Fields, Cousins, or Murray arrive in the Twin Cities. Meanwhile, Mr. McCarthy shows huge growth and potential, creating a scenario where only health will keep him away from lining up under center in Week 1.
The Vikings have worse than $40 million in cap debt as March appears on the horizon.
