Minnesota Vikings quarterback Joshua Dobbs (15) celebrates after scoring on a landing run in opposition to the New Orleans Saints throughout second-quarter motion at U.S. Financial institution Stadium. On Nov. 12, 2023, in Minneapolis, Minnesota, Dobbs continued his memorable early run with the Vikings by offering a spark as each a passer and runner. Necessary Credit score: Jeffrey Becker-USA TODAY Sports activities
The horny a part of free company is lengthy over as NFL groups have transitioned to organized crew actions. However some groups have contemporary money after the NFL’s June 1st wage cap benchmark, and conveniently, a handful of ex-Minnesota Vikings quarterbacks are on the lookout for work.
Coaching camps are nonetheless eight weeks away, however search for the boys on this listing to land jobs earlier than too lengthy.
The Former Vikings QBs
Minnesota Vikings quarterback Joshua Dobbs surveys the sphere earlier than the snap throughout an NFC matchup on the street. Within the first half on Nov. 5, 2023, at Mercedes-Benz Stadium in Atlanta, Georgia, Dobbs referred to as alerts in opposition to the Falcons after becoming a member of Minnesota in a midseason commerce that rapidly thrust him into motion. Necessary Credit score: Brett Davis-USA TODAY Sports activities.
1. Joshua Dobbs
The New England Patriots employed Dobbs in 2025, and he caught across the roster till March 2026. However after the Patriots added Tommy DeVito, they kicked Dobbs to the curb, and he’s been employed since.
Earlier than that, Dobbs supplied the Vikings with some of the sudden and entertaining detours of the 2023 season. Minnesota acquired him from Arizona after Kirk Cousins’ Achilles tear and whereas Nick Mullens was nonetheless sidelined. The price was minimal: a Sixth-Spherical decide and a conditional Seventh-Rounder that was by no means conveyed. When Jaren Corridor sustained a concussion in Atlanta, Dobbs was thrust into motion with {a partially} discovered playbook and no time to organize.
Remarkably, it labored. He led the Vikings to victories in opposition to the Atlanta Falcons and New Orleans Saints, creating a short interval the place it felt just like the crew had stumbled into a kind of inconceivable NFL narratives. “DobbsMania” was a legit, albeit fleeting, phenomenon, and it was a rollercoaster.
Nonetheless, the league rapidly adjusted to his model. His accuracy points grew to become obvious, and his timing with Jordan Addison by no means absolutely developed. A missed reference to Justin Jefferson in a recreation on the Denver Broncos proved to be a turning level. By the Las Vegas Raiders recreation the next week, head coach Kevin O’Connell had seen sufficient and benched him for Mullens. That swiftly concluded his chapter in Minnesota.
Dobbs later moved on to San Francisco and New England, the place he demonstrated the same sample.
Some crew will scoop Dobbs for a QB3 job, a minimum of, earlier than the tip of the summer season. He deserves it.
2. Desmond Ridder
The Inexperienced Bay Packers dropped Ridder final month after they signed Tyrod Taylor as Jordan Love’s major 2026 backup. Ridder stopped by the Vikings in 2025 when accidents rattled J.J. McCarthy and Carson Wentz.
He’s began 18 NFL video games for the Falcons and Raiders, together with his groups reaching an 8-10 report. The report precisely displays his present standing within the league. Ridder has mobility and a willingness to soak up hits, providing an offense some flexibility when performs break down. However his skill isn’t a major focus for opposing defenses.
Minnesota Vikings quarterback Desmond Ridder prepares for recreation motion throughout pregame warm-ups at U.S. Financial institution Stadium. Earlier than kickoff on Sept. 21, 2025, in Minneapolis, Minnesota, Ridder went by way of drills forward of Minnesota’s contest in opposition to the Cincinnati Bengals whereas serving as quarterback depth on the Vikings roster. Necessary Credit score: Brad Rempel-Imagn Pictures.
His passing statistics — 16 touchdowns, 14 interceptions, and roughly 160 passing yards per recreation — recommend he can handle an offense successfully if supported by a powerful working recreation, stable go safety, and succesful playmakers. He isn’t a man who can single-handedly carry an offense.
Ridder might finally settle right into a short-term position as a QB3 quickly. In any other case, he’s a apply squad man.
3. Brett Rypien
The Vikings signed Rypien in 2024 after his launch from the Bears and introduced him again within the 2025 offseason to compete for the QB2 or QB3 place. Nonetheless, his tenure was transient. O’Connell finally chosen Carson Wentz and Max Brosmer behind J.J. McCarthy, resulting in Rypien’s departure.
His NFL profession has included stints with quite a few groups:
Denver Broncos (2019–2022)
Los Angeles Rams (2023)
Seattle Seahawks (2023)
New York Jets (2023)
Chicago Bears (2024)
Minnesota Vikings (2024–2025)
Cincinnati Bengals (2025)
Indianapolis Colts (2025)
In his 4 profession begins, Rypien’s groups went 2-2. His total manufacturing: 4 touchdowns and 9 interceptions.
From February to late April 2025, Rypien briefly held the QB2 spot behind McCarthy in Minnesota. That modified when the Vikings traded for Sam Howell, later despatched Howell to Philadelphia, and signed Wentz. The sequence of occasions sums up Rypien’s time with the Vikings: helpful for a brief interval, then rapidly changed.
4. John Wolford
Much like Ridder, Wolford joined the Vikings in 2025 as an emergency quarterback.
He entered the league in 2018 as an undrafted free agent with the Jets, although his time there was quick. In 2019, he performed for the Arizona Hotshots within the short-lived Alliance of American Soccer earlier than securing a task with the Los Angeles Rams.
Los Angeles Rams quarterback John Wolford participates in a postgame media session following a division victory at residence. After the competition on Jan. 3, 2021, at SoFi Stadium in Inglewood, California, Wolford wore headphones throughout interviews because the Rams celebrated an 18-7 win over the Arizona Cardinals. Necessary Credit score: Kirby Lee-USA TODAY Sports activities.
With the Rams, Wolford established himself as Jared Goff’s backup, even incomes a Tremendous Bowl ring as a reserve passer in the course of the 2021 season. Throughout 9 NFL seasons, Wolford has performed in seven video games, beginning 4, together with his groups reaching a 2-2 report in these begins. His statistics are modest: 626 passing yards, 1 landing, and 5 interceptions.
By now, he’s a apply squad man, too.
Dustin Baker is a novelist and political scientist. His second novel, The Invaders , is out now. So is … Extra about Dustin Baker
