The Minnesota Vikings have made it obvious that J.J. McCarthy is their guy going forward, and that he is the frontrunner for the QB1 job during training camp this summer.
However, at the NFL owners’ meetings in Florida on Wednesday, April 2, Vikings general manager Kwesi Adofo-Mensah made it clear that the team intends to add more depth to a quarterback room that currently includes only McCarthy and Brett Rypien — the latter of whom finished last season as No. 4 on the depth chart, relegating him to the practice squad.
“We want [McCarthy] to be our starting quarterback for a long time,” Adofo-Mensah told NFL Network’s Tom Pelissero. “Obviously, he had an injury and a setback, but we’re happy with everything he’s done since then, and we’re going to continue with it. We’ll continually try to add depth and upgrade that room.”
Aaron Rodgers Appears Off Table for Vikings
It’s unclear who that quarterback will be, but there are only so many plausible alternatives.
After a week or so of contemplation late last month, Minnesota looks to have effectively ruled out acquiring Aaron Rodgers. However, Rodgers remains a free agent despite a standing offer from the Pittsburgh Steelers, who appear to be his only feasible alternative with the Vikings ostensibly out of the running.
If Rodgers is completely out of the picture, the conversation will likely shift to available veterans who can both help McCarthy through his second season (though it will serve as his rookie season in many ways) and step in and play competent quarterback if McCarthy struggles and/or suffers another injury.
Ryan Tannehill, Joe Flacco, and Carson Wentz are the three seasoned names who still have the most track record of success but will not represent a significant danger to McCarthy’s starting job or his popularity among supporters if the young quarterback struggles.
Vikings Likely to Look at Veteran QB Behind J.J. McCarthy
Rodgers is seeking for a starting job, a final payout, and a chance at glory. Tannehill was seeking for something similar last year, which is why he declined all employment offers and remained a free agent throughout the season, hoping for a shot to start somewhere that never came.
Tannehill turns 37 this summer and has been sidelined for the whole season. However, he has a winning record over a dozen seasons in the NFL, about 100 more touchdown passes than interceptions, a Pro Bowl appearance, and a trip to the AFC Championship Game on his resume. Minnesota has already contacted him, but nothing has come of it.
Flacco, 40, is a former Super Bowl champion who started several games for the Indianapolis Colts last season and the Cleveland Browns the year before, helping Cleveland reach the playoffs. He is still a free agent and hopes to play at least one more NFL season.
Wentz is the youngest of the three, at only 32 years old. He was the Kansas City Chiefs’ backup quarterback last season.
