Odd, Persistent Foe Threatening the Vikings Yet Again in Quarterback Bid
Oddly enough, the Jets and the Vikings have been squaring off for a little while. How so? Just when it comes to competing for the same quarterback talent.
As things stand, the New York Jets will venture into 2026 with a QB trio being led by Justin Fields, Bailey Zappe, and Brady Cook. In all likelihood, not good enough. The Vikings, meanwhile, are moving forward with a top pair of J.J. McCarthy alongside Max Brosmer, neither of whom performed particularly well in 2025. Do both QB-starved teams go after the same passers yet again?
The Vikings, The Jets, & The QB Competition
Corralling the conversation to just recent history means still having a ton of examples to draw on.
In particular, there’s Hall of Fame quarterback Brett Favre. The gunslinger journeyed from Wisconsin to New Jersey. Modest football followed. Afterwards, a trip to Minnesota led to a sensational season that came painfully close to a Super Bowl (for Favre most of all).
Consider, as well, the free agent flirtations with Kirk Cousins from 2018.
The passer who is an all-time great when it comes to making money was at the end of his time with the Commanders. A pair of teams rose above all others in the need to land a franchise passer and the willingness to convince themselves that Cousins was that person: the Jets and the Vikings. Minnesota ended up winning the battle, leading to modest success as New York continued being terrible.
There has then been the Sam Darnold connection. The former Jets pick got scooped up at No. 3 before flopping. He then was excellent as a Viking.
There’s then Aaron Rodgers. Like Favre before him, Rodgers left the Packers to settle down with the Jets. Like Favre before him, Rodgers performed modestly in New York before desiring Minnesota. Unlike Favre before him, the Vikings didn’t take the plunge with Rodgers.
Once upon a time, the current QB coach in the Twin Cities — Josh McCown — was a quarterback for the Jets. Even Kevin O’Connell tried to solve the QB conundrum in New York (as a player, not a coach).
In the present moment, the stubbornly average Vikings are seeking to become very good. The horrendous Jets are looking to become competent. Getting to these destinations requires improving at quarterback.
Does the Kyler Murray sweepstakes end up becoming a two-horse race? If so, the pair of NFL horses could realistically end up being in Minnesota and New York. If free agency is Murray’s path, then Minnesota looks like the clear outcome since nobody wants to play for the Jets. If a trade is Murray’s path, then the Jets could be the final destination.
For the sake of argument, consider a future where Murray does land in New York. If so, the Vikings should be calling about prying away Justin Fields, someone who could be a nice add to Minnesota’s quarterback spot.
With the NFL combine getting going, the league is soon to get swamped in plenty of rumors. Among those rumors is very likely to be some chatter about the league’s coveted passers. The Vikings and Jets could end up battling yet again for the same coveted option.
Free agency gets rolling on Monday, March 9th.
