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(Photo by Luke Hales/Getty Images)
The Minnesota Vikings, as mentioned many times recently, have a decision to make at the quarterback position.
Kevin O’Connell must decide if he wants to roll with J.J. McCarthy, or make a big swing for a Kyler Murray. The feeling is that his job may depend on how the team executes this year. O’Connell’s offensive system requires a quarterback that can drive the ball down the field effectively.
That’s something that J.J. McCarthy didn’t necessarily “succeed” in in his pseudo-rookie year of 2025. This why the Vikings may take a look at someone like Kyler Murray, Aaron Rodgers, or Kirk Cousins.
For the years after 2026, however, the Vikings have yet again been mentioned in the Joe Burrow conversation.
Vikings Get Another Promising Joe Burrow Take
GettyBALTIMORE, MARYLAND – NOVEMBER 27: Joe Burrow #9 of the Cincinnati Bengals looks on after the game against the Baltimore Ravens at M&T Bank Stadium on November 27, 2025 in Baltimore, Maryland. (Photo by Patrick Smith/Getty Images)
In a recent installment of The Herd, Colin Cowherd made his thoughts know on what he sees happening in the future between Burrow and the Bengals.
“I think Burrow misses the playoffs again, and he’s moving. I think he’s just gonna say ‘I’m out’. And I think he’ll say ‘call the Rams, I’m going to McVay. Call the Niners’.
It’ll be one of these Kevin O’Connell, McVay, high end offensive coaches. You’d think Cincinnati would be embarrassed by it? That you have Joe Burrow and you can’t get into the playoffs? That would be kind of embarrassing. It speaks upstairs, not to Burrow.”
Burrow isn’t getting any younger, as he turns 30 this December. It wouldn’t be crazy to think he would want to capitalize on the prime years of his career with a team that’s established and suited to make a run.
Depending on the Vikings’ 2026 and the job status of Kevin O’Connell, this could mean a Vikings and Joe Burrow union. This also depends on the QB that Minnesota decides to acquire in 2026, if any.
If they are to acquire Kyler Murray, the Burrow scenario is off the table. If the Vikings somehow win a couple playoff games with McCarthy and he struggles, that seems like the most likely avenue for Burrow to come north. In that scenario, O’Connell likely keeps his job, and could lead to him and the new general manager calling Cincinnati about Burrow.
Vikings QB J.J. McCarthy Gets Strong Take from ESPN
GettyMINNEAPOLIS, MINNESOTA – JANUARY 04: J.J. McCarthy #9 of the Minnesota Vikings talks with teammates during the first quarter against the Green Bay Packers at U.S. Bank Stadium on January 04, 2026 in Minneapolis, Minnesota. (Photo by Stephen Maturen/Getty Images)
ESPN recently released a piece detailing a player on each NFL team that could use a “fresh start” in 2026. Of course, by “fresh start”, they mean an entirely new team.
For the Vikings, it’s QB J.J. McCarthy. They explained their selection of the 23-year-old signal caller.
“This is likely never going to happen, because it would be ridiculous for the Vikings to unload a player who still has first-round upside after 10 starts. However, a fresh start for McCarthy with a different organization might be the best thing for his career.
Yes, you want a young quarterback to be with an offensive mind such as Minnesota coach Kevin O’Connell for the purposes of his development. However, things went so badly for the Vikings with McCarthy last season that it might be best to get him out of the shadow of Super Bowl winner Sam Darnold.”
It wouldn’t be completely unprecedented for the Vikings to give up on McCarthy so quickly. Anthony Richardson and Josh Rosen are just a pair of examples of quarterbacks who were given up on quickly by the team that drafted them.
Brevan Bane Brevan Bane is a sports scribe covering the NFL for Heavy.com, with a focus on the Minnesota Vikings and Cincinnati Bengals. Brevan began his writing career by making a platform on Twitter and leveraging his presence into writing and content creation opportunities for outlets like PurplePTSD, Vikings Territory, The Noise, Hockey Wilderness, and the VikesNow YouTube channel. You can follow him on X @brevmanbane. More about Brevan Bane
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