It’s early in the offseason for the Minnesota Vikings, but multiple reports indicate the team will be looking for a QB to compete with J.J. McCarthy. Now, which signal-caller they pursue and sign remains to be seen.
Recently, Alec Lewis of The Athletic floated out five potential names that Minnesota could be in on as they at least push McCarthy to earn the starting job next season against a veteran.
“Kyler Murray, Mac Jones, Geno Smith, Jimmy Garoppolo, bringing back Kirk Cousins,” Lewis told KARE 11 News in a Feb. 6 video about the names that could be the QB targets for the Vikings. “I mean, it is hard to find one of those guys that makes people very optimistic.”
Amid rumors that the Vikings are looking for a QB, NFL insider Tom Pelissero shared that Murray and Smith could be options for Minnesota if either player is cut by their respective teams this offseason.
“The Vikings have not yet made a decision exactly what they’re going to do with their quarterback room, but they are expected to bring in a veteran to compete with J.J. McCarthy. It’s very early in that process,” Pelissero said on “NFL Gameday.”
“The Vikings just fired their GM a week or so ago here, but it’s not hard to figure out who some of the potential fits could be. Mac Jones in a trade would be a pretty expensive move. If Geno Smith or Kyler Murray become available via release, those could be options for Minnesota.”
Murray has an uncertain future with the Arizona Cardinals, while Smith might not be part of the Las Vegas Raiders‘ rebuild plans even as a stopgap QB.
Kirk Cousins Could Return to Minnesota
On Feb. 7, rumors of a Vikings-Kirk Cousins reunion emerged. Pelissero also mentioned that this scenario is also a possibility.
“Even the former Viking, Kirk Cousins, once he is released next month, could potentially be somebody on the Vikings’ radar,” Pelissero added.
“The quarterbacks all want to come to Minnesota because they’ve seen the work Kevin O’Connell has done, including with the guy Sam Darnold, who these fans are going to be cheering for later today. The hope is also that a competitive environment is going to bring out the best in J.J. McCarthy.”
The Cousins file appears to have the most legs right now. On Feb. 7, The Athletic’s Dianna Russini got the entire rumor mill started with her reporting on the matter.
“I’m watching to see if the Falcons find any parties interested in [Cousins],” Russini wrote in her article. “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.”
Kyler Murray Could Be a Fit for the Vikings
Murray’s name was recently floated as one the Vikings should keep on their radar, as his time with the Cardinals could be ending this offseason. On Feb. 2, former NFL player Domonique Foxworth stated that if the Cardinals cut Murray, Minnesota should be a landing spot for the former No. 1 overall pick.
“I still think he’s incredibly talented, “ Foxworth said during an appearance on “Get Up. “ “Of course, he’s uniquely built to play quarterback, which isn’t always good, but I think he’s a guy that, in the right situation, could help out a lot.
“I really like the Vikings as a spot where they could get someone like Kyler Murray to take some of the pressure off of him. I don’t think that the Cardinals have been a particularly well-run organization. And that’s not to take responsibility away from Kyler.”
Insider Shares Kyler Murray, Geno Smith Update Amid Vikings Link