I am really enjoying the debate about the QB position. I guess I love the drama! It is too bad that JJ McCarthy has been injured for much of the last two seasons. It really has delayed his development and the team\u2019s ability to determine his long term future. His performance on the field has been up and down which should have been expected. There are folks on both sides of the argument about if he will ever blossom into a competent NFL QB. It truly is unfortunate for the team and JJ that they do not have full confidence this next season. That is what I am led to believe based on the comments from KOC in his end of season press conference. He could have killed all the speculation that is going on right now by simply saying \u201cJJ McCarthy will be our starting QB in 2026\u201d. He basically said he wanted to bring in competition.<\/p>\n
Now, we have endless stories about who the Vikings will bring in for competition. There are some fans who really are upset about this and do not know why others are talking about possibilities. They feel JJ should be the starter. Period. There are even some that do not care about wins and want to give him one last shot. They say if the team does bad they can draft another QB in 2027 because there will be a better QB class in the draft.<\/p>\n
There are other fans who want different veterans most of which you would assume would be the starters. I do not see a Kyler Murray, Derek Carr, and Aaron Rodgers being the backup. The money that gets paid may determine who starts as well although I feel several QBs can win a straight up competition at this point.<\/p>\n
Other options like Malik Willis, Geno Smith, and Kirk Cousins could probably win a competition. I am not sure any other player they bring in would win the competition. Joe Flacco, Marcus Mariota, Russell Wilson, Kenny Picket, Trey Lance, Tyrod Taylor, and Zach Wilson all should probably be backups to JJ. Maybe the first three can win a competition? But is it worth it?<\/p>\n
I can live with any outcome. I present different scenarios to attempt to elicit intelligent debates. I like several options.<\/p>\n
If the team is unable to land a BIG FISH (Burrow or Jackson) then I am good with Rodgers. I feel he would be perfect because it allows JJ to learn from him and take over in 2027. This way the team gets \u201ccompetent\u201d QB play (Rodgers did look good last year when he was not getting killed) AND they still have their QBOTF who would now have another season of learning and development under his belt. Maybe Cousins would be OK with one year?<\/p>\n
NFL Combine 2026: Schedule, TV channel, and how to watch workouts in Indianapolis<\/a><\/p>\n Workout schedule Minnesota Vikings News and Links<\/p>\n Note: when I google \u201cVikings News\u201d these are the stories that come up (I do not link to other blogs very often). Don\u2019t shoot the messenger.<\/p>\n Vikings Put on Notice Over J.J. McCarthy Just Weeks Before 2026 NFL Free Agency<\/a><\/p>\n In a perfect world, the Minnesota Vikings will add a quarterback to compete with second-year signal-caller J.J. McCarthy during 2026. But that could be easier said than done.<\/p>\n At least according to Pro Football Talk\u2019s Mike Florio that could be the case.<\/p>\n Florio argued Saturday that if the Vikings are going to add serious competition for McCarthy this offseason, then the team has to be serious about having said competition.<\/p>\n \u201cThey want a veteran who\u2019ll compete with J.J. McCarthy. That could make it harder to attract a veteran who\u2019ll want a commitment that he\u2019ll be QB1,\u201d Florio wrote. \u201cBased on McCarthy\u2019s performance and durability in 2025, however, most veteran quarterbacks with reasonable confidence would believe they can win a fair and square competition.<\/p>\n \u201cIf they believe the competition will be both fair and square.\u201d Otherwise, the Vikings aren\u2019t going to land a free agent quarterback any better than backup level. Or, the team will be forced to trade for a signal-caller, giving up assets to get real quarterback competition. Other pending free agent signal-callers next month could include Daniel Jones, Marcus Mariota, Zach Wilson, Tyrod Taylor, and Joe Flacco.<\/p>\n But as Florio argued, those quarterbacks being interested in the Vikings might depend on how likely they feel they could earn the starting job over McCarthy.<\/p>\n Cardinals QB Kyler Murray Highlighted in Vikings Trade Buzz<\/a><\/p>\n \u201cSome trades would by definition signal a new starter, whether it\u2019s a deal for the Arizona Cardinals\u2019 Kyler Murray or even the rights to retired New Orleans Saints quarterback Derek Carr, who recently said he would unretire for a shot at winning the Super Bowl. Any such discussions are likely to heat up during the combine next week, at which point O\u2019Connell and Brzezinski likely will have decided if they are prepared to sideline McCarthy should the right deal presents itself.\u201d Vikings Predicted To Sign 298-TD Pro Bowl QB in Free Agency As J.J. McCarthy\u2019s Future Hangs in Balance<\/a> Vikings Godfather Trade Pitch Swaps JJ McCarthy, Draft Haul for 2-Time MVP QB<\/a> New Trade Idea Has Vikings Landing $212 Million QB to Replace JJ McCarth<\/a>y Vikings $21 million trade candidate could draw interest from Steelers, Rams, Jets<\/a> Derek Carr\u2013Vikings Rumor Great News for Saints<\/a> Vikings free agency prediction would be bad news for J.J. McCarthy, Steelers<\/a> Tua Tagovailoa trade rumors: Four possible landing spots for the Dolphins quarterback<\/a> What Your Preferred Vikings QB Option Says About You<\/a>
Thursday, February 26 (3 p.m. to 8 p.m. ET): Defensive linemen, linebackers, kickers
Friday, February 27 (3 p.m. to 9 p.m. ET): Defensive backs, tight ends
Saturday, February 28 (1 p.m. to 9 p.m. ET): Quarterbacks, wide receivers, running backs
Sunday, March 1 (1 p.m. to 5 p.m. ET): Offensive linemen<\/p>\n
\u2026
Maybe McCarthy will be better another year removed from the injury. But to seriously push him in a competition, the Vikings will have to convince free agents that they have a real chance to start instead of the 23-year-old in 2026.<\/p>\n
\u2026
Rodgers isn\u2019t going to sign with a team where he isn\u2019t starting. Wilson lost his starting job during the 2025 campaign.<\/p>\n
Vikings Reporter Kevin Seifert<\/p>\n
\u2026<\/p>\n
\u2026<\/p>\n
\u2026<\/p>\n
\u2026<\/p>\n
\u2026<\/p>\n
\u2026<\/p>\n
\u2026<\/p>\n
\u2026<\/p>\n