What Are Minnesota's Remaining Backup QB Options?

Although they were active during the early part of free agency, the Minnesota Vikings haven’t secured a backup for J.J. McCarthy.

Minnesota reportedly wants someone who has been in the league for a while. However, by passing on Aaron Rodgers, they have indicated they’re creating a pathway for McCarthy to start after last year's knee injury.

One week before the 2025 draft starts, the fanbase is anxious to find out where Kwesi Adofo-Mensah and the Vikings will go for their backup.

The Vikings can look to find their backup quarterback in a few places. They can sign a free-agent quarterback, wait until after the June 1 deadline when a team can release a player and free up cap space for future years, or wait to see what teams release backup-caliber quarterbacks. Minnesota can also trade for a quarterback, look to the UFL for an answer, or take a quarterback in the draft.

Is Carson Wentz Minnesota’s best free-agent option?

According to Spotrac, nine unrestricted free agents (UFA), including Aaron Rodgers and Carson Wentz, are still available.

Earlier this week, Albert Breer reported that Rodgers pitched a one-year Super Bowl push, which the Vikings declined, highlighting their faith in McCarthy. Although Rodgers wanted to join the Vikings, Minnesota fans were not so enthusiastic about this completion of the “Brett Favre Career Arc.”

On the other hand, Wentz looks like a fit to compete with McCarthy in camp and potentially back him up.

Wentz, who is to enter his 10th season in the league, could be a viable veteran option to mentor McCarthy. Wentz has spent the last two seasons backing up two former Super Bowl Champions, Matthew Stafford and Patrick Mahomes. Having a mentor who can lift the lid on what two extremely talented QBs made them successful could help McCarthy find his stride and succeed in a league that, as Wentz knows all too well, wants immediate results.

The Vikings could allow Brett Rypien to compete with McCarthy in camp. Rypien was on the practice squad until the end of last season, when he signed a reserve/future contract with the team. He knows Minnesota’s system and could seamlessly transition to a backup quarterback. However, the Vikings probably want to bring in someone to compete with McCarthy, and it’s hard to see Rypien starting Week 1.

Could they go back to Cousins after June 1 cuts?

June 1 is the date to watch for rostered quarterbacks whose future with said team is unclear, like Kirk Cousins or Taysom Hill. On this date, teams can release these players to save their cap space if they haven't found a good trade partner.

After he collapsed last season with the Atlanta Falcons, Cousins' job is now in jeopardy. At the end of last season, the Falcons turned to rookie Michael Penix Jr.

Ideally, the Falcons would like to trade Cousins instead of releasing him. A release would cost the Falcons around $10 million, but a trade after the June 1 deadline saves them over $27 million.

However, bringing in Cousins would be a risky move for the Vikings. While Cousins was with the Vikings for seven years and knows the system well, he was a polarizing figure to the fan base because he made $185 million and only won one playoff game.

Cousins would also have to be comfortable competing with McCarthy in camp. He may prefer to sign with a team like the New Orleans Saints, which will need a starter to replace Derek Carr.

What about Taysom Hill?

Speaking of the Saints, their backup quarterback, Taysom Hill, could be another great option. Whether they trade or release him, the Saints save $10 million if they remove Him from their roster after June 1.

Hill’s experience as a backup quarterback and his ability to play multiple positions could make him the ideal mentor for McCarthy. Hill can explain reads and coverages in real-time during the game as an on-field assistant to the QB position.

UFL options

The Vikings are unlikely to find a backup in the following places, but they should be mentioned to fully encompass their options.

The UFL is the next spot the Vikings could look into for quarterback help. Spring football leagues have produced NFL quarterbacks like Ben DiNucci. After a successful stint with the XFL’s Seattle Sea Dragons in 2023, he has remained on NFL practice squads and is no longer playing spring football.

Jordan Ta'amu is another UFL quarterback to watch. He’s the starter for the DC Defenders, the last remaining UFL team. A multi-purpose guy who, at 27, can use his arm and legs to make big plays down the field successfully. After bouncing around the league and gaining valuable experience, Ta'amu could be a good fit to mentor McCarthy.

The Vikings could also use a draft pick to get a backup QB. However, that’s highly unlikely because the Vikings want a veteran who can help mentor their young starter.

If the Vikings try to get a quarterback late in the draft as a project piece on Day 3, they should target Missouri’s Brady Cook, Minnesota’s Max Brosmer, and Florida’s Graham Mertz. NFL.com reports that Cook is the most athletic of the three, but Brosmer is more likely to be drafted.

All three of these young signal-callers are projected to go late in the draft. They could use a QB whisperer like Kevin O'Connell to get the most out of them and help further their careers.

McCarthy could also learn alongside a quarterback they draft, and the rookie could be a contingency plan if McCarthy’s knee continues to be a problem.

Going into the 2025 draft and subsequent season, Minnesota’s front office has serious questions about the backup quarterback position. Although a veteran is preferred to mentor McCarthy and get the most out of him, the options are diminishing. The Vikings’ front office may need to look outside the box to find their backup QB.