The Vikings’ Skimpy QB Position Now Takes On 4 Decisions
Surprisingly enough, the initial round of futures contracts didn’t involve any quarterbacks. News of other contracts — most notably, DT Jaylon Hutchings and LB Jacob Roberts — don’t address the position, either.
Is that soon to change?
Rolling through the end of 2025, the Vikings’ skimpy QB position wasn’t skimpy. Or, at least, not when considering all of the passers within Minnesota’s team orbit. J.J. McCarthy was being supported by Max Brosmer. The quarterback room also boasted John Wolford (QB3), Brett Rypien (QB4), and Carson Wentz (IR). Kicking things out even further could involve lassoing Desmond Ridder into the mix since he was previously on Minnesota’s roster during the most recent season.
The Vikings’ Skimpy QB Position and 4 Internal Options
In fairness, none of the options listed above — John Wolford, Brett Rypien, Carson Wentz, and Desmond Ridder — offer a ton of on-field upside.
Of the options, Mr. Wentz appears to be the best (and by a good margin). He played respectable football for the Vikings, keeping the team competitive while working through a painful shoulder injury that would eventually end his season.
Wentz is a capable QB2. The problem is that he doesn’t appear to be someone who could shine — even over a medium amount of games — as a QB1. Whoever functions as the main backup in Minnesota needs to be capable of starting if injury takes out Mr. McCarthy yet again, which is to say nothing of poor performance.
As a result, one wonders about John Wolford.
The passer’s career doesn’t offer promising statistics. The 30-year-old journeyman stands at 6’1″ and weighs 218 pounds. Wolford’s career involves going 2-2 while completing 58.7% of his passes for 626 yards, 1 touchdown, and 5 interceptions.
Not excellent.
The upside of John Wolford is that he appears to do well within his role. Asking him to be the QB4 who functions as a coach in shoulder pads makes a pile of sense. He is, after all, a Super Bowl champion from the Rams team that had Kevin O’Connell on the coaching staff. If the coaching staff is a group of shepherds, then Wolford is a sheep dog.
Employing Wolford on the practice squad makes sense since he’s someone who has worked with promising passers (Jared Goff, Matthew Stafford, Baker Mayfield, Trevor Lawrence), understands Coach O’Connell’s scheme, and can be employed on a bargain-bin deal.
If John Wolford remains, then Brett Rypien appears to be redundant. Neither get work due being capable passers but, rather, due to intangibles. It’s one or the other; most recently, Wolford has been higher on the depth chart.
There’s then Desmond Ridder, most recently of Packers fame. Seeing him leave Wisconsin behind could involve seeing him get a fairer opportunity to audition for a backup gig with the Vikings. Ridder, at least, has some upside since he’s younger and was picked in the 3rd Round.
| Outside QB Help | All In-House QBs | |
| QB1 | J.J. McCarthy | J.J. McCarthy |
| QB2 | To Be Determined | Carson Wentz |
| QB3 | Max Brosmer | Max Brosmer |
| QB4 | John Wolford | Brett Rypien |
By a pretty sizable margin, the path ahead where the Vikings’ skimpy QB room adds outside help is the one that possesses more upside. Think Kirk Cousins, Justin Fields, Mac Jones, and/or various other passers who have at least some track record of success on an NFL football field and who could realistically be available by the time the middle of March hits the calendar.
The best case scenario still involves a future where J.J. McCarthy is the starter. What must change is the assumption of J.J. McCarthy being the starter. Looking outward for a promising QB2 appears to be the move after determining that none of the internal four can challenge for the top spot.
