Head coach Kevin O’Connell and the Minnesota Vikings are facing a quarterback quandary that may only be resolved with a savvy trade. The Vikings are rolling with J.J. McCarthy as their starter, but the questions about those behind him loom large and could make an option like Jacoby Brissett appealing.
Brissett is currently backing up Kyler Murray in Arizona after signing a two-year, $12.5 million contract in free agency. It could take some convincing for the Cardinals to let him go.
This Heavy Sports trade pitch would secure the 2017 Super Bowl champion on the Vikings.
Vikings get:
- Jacoby Brissett
Cardinals get:
- 2026 seventh-round pick
The going rate for backup quarterbacks is between a fifth and seventh-round pick, with younger prospects Kenny Pickett and Sam Howell in 2024 and Trey Lance in 2023 joining established starters Deshaun Watson and Russell Wilson, both in 2022, in commanding higher.
Brissett, who has $58.8 million in career earnings, could fill a familiar role with a trade to the Vikings, who would gain peace of mind with a player who has 53 career starts under his belt.
Vikings Could Land Experienced QB2 With Trade for Cardinals’ Jacoby Brissett
GettyJacoby Brissett #7 of the Arizona Cardinals practices during mandatory minicamp.
Brissett turns 33 in December and opened the 2024 season ahead of Drake Maye for the New England Patriots before ceding QB1 duties to the No. 3 pick in Week 6. The veteran, Brissett, could operate more like he has for the Cardinals with a trade to the Vikings.
“Brissett often gets called to be the bridge quarterback for a notable unproven young quarterback or a veteran in need of some competition to get him back on track,” Sports Illustrated’s Gilbert Manzano wrote in May. “Brissett has the latter assignment with the Cardinals after a subpar season from Kyler Murray. The team is still committed to Murray after guaranteeing more money on his contract. But at least the Cardinals have another reliable option in case Murray continues to struggle.”
The Cardinals locked in Murray’s money and still have 2023 fifth-rounder Clayton Tune on the roster, though he has just one start in 13 career appearances.
The Vikings could at least reach out to the Cardinals with an offer to trade for Brissett.
Vikings QB Sam Howell a Letdown So Far
GettySam Howell #6 of the Seattle Seahawks warms up during OTAs.
Notably, Manzano ranked Brissett 10th on his list of backup QBs, one slot ahead of Howell, whom the Vikings acquired in a trade with the Seattle Seahawks for this offseason.
“Howell had some positive moments as a starter for the Commanders in 2023,” Manzano wrote. “He’ll now help second-year QB J.J. McCarthy prepare for his first season as a starter—unless Rodgers finds a way to Minnesota and not Pittsburgh.”
Howell has been underwhelming so far in training camp.
He has even lost some second-team reps behind McCarthy to 2024 free agent signing Brett Rypien, whom the Vikings signed after roster cutdowns last summer.
Howell is 5-13 in his career as a starter, while Rypien is 2-2. Brissett is 19-34 as a starter in his career. However, he threw for 2,608 yards, 12 touchdowns, and 6 interceptions on 64% completion in 11 starts for the Cleveland Browns in 2022. Of course, he was 4-7 that season.
Perhaps O’Connell and the Vikings can make better use of Brissett’s steadiness with a trade.
Vikings Trade Proposal Lands $58 Million Super Bowl Champion Amid QB Concerns
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