Credit: Trevor Ruszkowski-Imagn Images
This offseason means everything to the future of the Minnesota Vikings. That’s why Kwesi Adofo-Mensah was fired and why Kevin O’Connell has adopted a much different mindset toward the quarterback position, in 2026.
Instead of being picky, the Vikings have made it abundantly clear that, over the next few months, they will be aggressive in their pursuit for a competent veteran QB to pair with or take JJ McCarthy’s job before training camp.
Credit: Kareem Elgazzar/The Enquirer-Imagn Images
If they get an opportunity to swing big, and replace JJ McCarthy with a proven NFL quarterback (like Joe Burrow, for example), then Minnesota will reportedly jump all over it. Otherwise, they’ll look to the second-tier trade and free agency markets.
That’s where they’re in search of a QB that will push McCarthy more competitively than Sam Howell did last summer, and someone the Vikings would actually be able to trust, should JJ again prove unable to stay healthy and/or ready for the moment.
Minnesota Vikings running low on QB options already?
But if you believe what Dianna Russini (The Athletic) was hearing this week on media row in San Francisco, then the MN Vikings may already be running low on possible QB options this offseason.
First, Russini reports that the Bengals are not trading Joe Burrow. That’s a bummer, but not surprising to anyone with a functioning brain stem.
Dianna’s more worrisome scoop today, however, was related to the San Francisco 49ers and their apparent unwillingness to trade backup QB, Mac Jones — though she did leave some wiggle room for KOC & Co. to change the Niners’ mind.
Despite the hopes and dreams of Minnesota Vikings fans, the Cincinnati Bengals have no intention of trading Joe Burrow — to Minnesota or anywhere else.
For teams looking to swing a deal for 49ers backup QB Mac Jones, I’m told San Francisco is not looking to part with the 2021 first-rounder. Things and offers can change, but the 49ers’ preference is to keep their Brock Purdy-Jones tandem intact for 2026.
The only reason anyone believed Burrow might be available is because the Cincinnati Bengals owner runs his franchise similar to how the Pohlads operate the MN Twins. As it turns out though, even he isn’t dumb enough to let Joe Cool walk out the door.
That’s why her report on Jones is more concerning. At 27 years old, Jones already has 57 career starts under his NFL belt. While the numbers aren’t gaudy… they’re far from terrible. In fact, he fits exactly what the Vikings are looking for, if they can’t land a big fish like Burrow.
No Mac Jones for MN Vikings has deeper implications
The former Patriots No. 15 overall pick has played on three different teams now, completing a rather surprising 66.5% of his NFL passes (1,236/1,859) for 12,741 total passing yards, 67 touchdowns and 50 interceptions.
🙌 FIRST NFL TD 🙌
Mac Jones finds Luke Farrell in the end zone for his first career touchdown 🏈✨
A moment this rookie will never forget! #NFL #ForeverNE pic.twitter.com/fyiCAclU0k
— Aggregate (@AggregateSports) September 14, 2025
Just like Sam Darnold, when he arrived in the Twin Cities, Jones has already pushed through his biggest struggles as an NFL quarterback. Meanwhile, McCarthy is likely just starting to walk his path back to NFL readiness.
And unfortunately for him, the Vikings are no longer willing to wait around on him to catch up. This fan base, the roster, coaching staff and especially the ownership group — are all ready to win now.
That’s why, if Russini is right on Jones, it’s an extremely worrisome development for the Minnesota Vikings’ offseason. If Burrow was their best plug-and-play QB option, Mac Jones was probably their best REALISTIC one.
Minnesota Vikings still plan to bring in a solid veteran QB
Despite her own report, Dianna Russini remains confident that “the Vikings will be looking to bring on a veteran quarterback after a disappointing 2025 season at the position”.
It’s also worth noting that at least one higher up NFL contact in her phone is already wondering out loud whether or not a Kirk Cousins + Vikings reunion might be in the works. Logically speaking, if Jones is off the table, odds of a Kirk Cousins return probably goes through the TCO Performance Center roof.
I’m watching to see if the Falcons find any parties interested in their backup. Speaking of those Vikings, one league source speculated that Cousins could be an option there, given his history with Kevin O’Connell and Minnesota’s desire to bring in competition for young J.J. McCarthy.
Should the Vikings be forced into free agency for their next veteran QB signing, it’ll be difficult for them to find another rumored-to-be-available quarterback who would come in and play more competently than a 37-year-old Kirko Chainz, if he’s paired back up with KOC.
And for those who truly still believe in JJ McCarthy’s ability to improve before the start of training camp, then Cousins should be the perfect veteran competition.
Related: Sounds Like Vikings Players Wanted Sam Darnold
We know what we are getting with 8. And if 9 winds up being more ready than we can safely assume heading into the offseason, then he would undoubtedly beat out an old washed up Kirk, right?
(The answer is yes… but don’t hold your breath.)
Mentioned in this article: Joe Burrow Mac Jones NFL Offseason NFL Trade Rumors
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