Vikings Get Clear QB Advice from NFL.com
The Vikings might say they believe in J.J. McCarthy. An NFL.com analyst isn’t so sure that’s enough.
NFL.com recently outlined the one key roster move each NFC team should target in the 2026 offseason — and for the Vikings, the advice couldn’t be clearer. According to NFL writer Kevin Patra, Minnesota should prioritize adding a veteran quarterback to challenge J.J. McCarthy and stabilize the position heading into next season.
After locking in defensive coordinator Brian Flores, Minnesota’s biggest remaining question is obvious: quarterback. McCarthy hasn’t shown nearly enough in his sophomore season to suggest he’s the long-term answer under center. Competition is needed.
And that’s exactly Patra’s advice for the franchise: “Despite Kevin O’Connell’s persistent support for J.J. McCarthy, the Vikings can’t head into 2026 without a legit veteran to challenge the third-year pro for the job. The former first-round pick has struggled mightily through two seasons, missing 24 games due to multiple injuries. Even when he was healthy, McCarthy was scattershot, completing just 57.6 percent of his passes, sometimes missing by yards, not inches.”
The young passer showed flashes early in the season and had some good performances in his final four games, but inconsistent play and multiple injuries prevented him from claiming the QB1 job. His backups were Carson Wentz and Max Brosmer, not exactly the type of high-end competition a young starter should face.
“Unable to keep Sam Darnold and Daniel Jones from leaving last year, Minnesota must bring in a veteran who can, at the very least, push McCarthy for the job — if not outright take it,” Patra added. “Potentially bringing back Kirk Cousins, who could be released from Atlanta before free agency, makes a lot of sense for both sides. Cousins played well enough down the stretch and his fit in KOC’s system is obvious.”
Cousins is just one of several options for the Vikings, but scheme familiarity and potential availability are reasons why a reunion makes sense on paper. After agreeing to restructure his contract early this offseason, the four-time Pro Bowler is expected to be released in March.
The veteran started some games last season and was quite solid late in the year. In 10 games and 8 starts, Cousins completed 61.7% of his passes, scoring 10 touchdowns and 5 picks over the course of the season. Michael Penix is the starter in Atlanta, but a torn ACL cost him the second half of the season. New head coach Kevin Stefanski is an old friend of Cousins, but the NFL is ultimately a business and Cousins is too expensive on his current four-year deal worth $180 million.
Head coach Kevin O’Connell stressed that he wants a competitive situation to unfold in the offseason and in training camp when talking to the media at the season-ending presser.
“I absolutely want a competitive situation. What that looks like with the reps, I think it’s all predicated on — obviously, J.J. is going to be a major, major emphasis for our staff and our team and me personally. We’ll figure out what that looks like as we navigate, you know, the early part of this offseason when it comes to managing the roster, and I know Kwesi and his staff will do a great job of that.”
Cousins fits that job description. If he’s released, Cousins can pick his next destination. Other franchises, such as the Pittsburgh Steelers or the New York Jets, could be intrigued by his veteran presence. There has also been the theory that he just re-signs with the Falcons after his release, as that’s a solid place for him to play football, with Penix’s timeline undecided at this point.
For the Vikings, other quarterbacks could fill the same role, with Mac Jones and Kyler Murray likely the two most popular candidates if the high-end talents Joe Burrow and Lamar Jackson remain — as expected — untouchable.
Patra is likely right; a new passer will arrive in the Twin Cities in March to challenge McCarthy for the top job in the QB room.
One way or another, competition is coming to the quarterback room. And after last season’s roller coaster, that might be exactly what this team needs.
Editor’s Note: Information from PFF, Over The Cap, and Sports Reference helped with this article.