With the struggles of J.J. McCarthy early on in his career, the Minnesota Vikings are right back in the quarterback rumor mill.
As earlier reported on Heavy, Mike Florio of Pro Football Talk on NBC Sports, suggested the Vikings bring in a veteran to compete for the starting job in 2026.
Mike Florio Suggests Vikings Open QB Competition
GettyPFT Founder Mike Florio suggested the idea of an open competition for the Vikings’ starting QB gig in 2026.
Consider a quote from an earlier piece on Heavy on Vikings about the Florio suggestion:
“The Vikings need a quarterback competition. I think they need to sign somebody in the offseason, not as the “you’re going to be the starter and J.J.’s out.” I think they need to make him earn it against someone. They need him in day-to-day competition to push him toward his ceiling. And whatever his ceiling is, it is what it is.
Right now, I am concerned the ceiling isn’t where it needs to be because we can’t have one week where it all clicks. It’s not like he’s ever going to be a gunslinger. He’s (McCarthy) never going to be Matthew Stafford. It’s going to be about what he can do at the right time — make the right play in the right spot. Sometimes we win, sometimes we don’t.”
PFT’s Mike Florio on bringing in a QB to compete with J.J. McCarthy
It’s not a terrible idea. The Vikings are likely going to need to bring in a veteran signal caller this offseason anyway. Competition or not, they will be on the market for the services of someone that’s seen a thing or two in the league.
Or, per Florio’s new idea, the Vikings could make a big trade for one.
Mac Jones Trade Proposal Floated by Mike Florio
GettySan Francisco 49ers QB Mac Jones could fetch a strong trade package this offseason. Will the Vikings be the team to bite?
Consider this excerpt from Mike Florio on PFT, by way of Dustin Baker from Vikings Territory:
“There’s already chatter in some circles that, in the 2026 offseason, the Vikings will explore trading for 49ers quarterback Mac Jones. For the Vikings, it could make sense to bring in a veteran who would compete with J.J. McCarthy.”
“The top-10 pick in 2024 hasn’t done enough to have the presumed starter role next season. A true competition could force the issue, getting McCarthy to make the improvements that the Vikings want to see, or else.”
Mike Florio on the potential of a Mac Jones trade to the Minnesota Vikings
Florio drives home the idea by pointing out the lack of quality signal callers in the 2026 NFL free agency class:
“There won’t be a ton of great options in free agency. There’s no Darnold this year. Daniel Jones most likely won’t be available, even though he signed a one-year deal with the Colts, who would be wise to sign him to a long-term deal weeks before the annual illegal tampering starts. (The franchise tag remains available, obviously.)”
“Who else is there? Russell Wilson, Aaron Rodgers (who turns 42 on December 3), Jimmy Garoppolo, Tyrod Taylor, Trey Lance, Marcus Mariota, Joe Flacco, and Gardner Minshew headline a weak (relative to recent years) class of veterans with starting experience. Kyler Murray also will be available, possibly via trade. (It’s also possible he’ll be released).”
The management of the QB position is surely a thing to keep an eye on for Minnesota this season if McCarthy continues to struggle. It may not be Jones, but they could even opt to re-sign Carson Wentz to have him stick around.
Hopefully, Minnesota doesn’t have to resort to this. No disrespect to Mac Jones, but all of Minnesota’s hopes are that J.J. McCarthy continues to develop and be the guy that they thought he would be.
If he isn’t, then Mac Jones could be a great addition to the Kevin O’Connell center of quarterback rehabilitation.
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