Kevin O’Connell scans the sphere on October 20, 2024, at U.S. Financial institution Stadium in Minneapolis earlier than the Vikings face the Detroit Lions, standing alongside the sideline throughout pregame warmups as Minnesota prepares for a pivotal NFC North matchup with standings implications. Obligatory Credit score: Matt Krohn-Imagn Pictures.
This offseason has been all in regards to the quarterback for the Minnesota Vikings. After J.J. McCarthy flopped in such a large and public approach final season, Kevin O’Connell couldn’t afford one other marketing campaign the place so many issues go fallacious.
Fortunately, veteran Kyler Murray fell into their laps for simply $1.3 million, with the Arizona Cardinals paying the freight on his contract. No matter how a lot the suggestion of a contest has been floated, there’s virtually no world by which Murray received’t be the starter for Week 1.
The Vikings Might Finally Need to Trim the QB Room
Regardless, although, the Minnesota Vikings at present have an overflowing quarterback room. After going into final season needing so as to add Carson Wentz simply earlier than the video games began, they’re in a a lot completely different scenario this time round.
Murray has been signed, and Wentz was introduced again. He’s essentially the most succesful backup on the roster, and if (see: when) McCarthy loses the competitors, it makes extra sense for him to function because the third quarterback. There’s additionally a developmental product, Max Brosmer.
Jan 17, 2022; Los Angeles, California, USA; Arizona Cardinals quarterback Kyler Murray (1) warms up earlier than enjoying in opposition to the Los Angeles Rams within the NFC Wild Card playoff sport. Obligatory Credit score: Michael Chow-Arizona Republic NFC Wild Card Playoff Cardinals Vs Rams. © Michael Chow / USA TODAY NETWORK.
There is no such thing as a probability the Vikings carry 4 quarterbacks on their energetic roster, and Brosmer will be stashed on the apply squad. Nevertheless, there are solely a finite variety of reps to go round. If Brosmer goes to be a long-term down-roster play, then McCarthy looks like essentially the most easy participant to maneuver on from.
Going into his third skilled season, the Vikings might want to determine if they’re selecting up McCarthy’s fifth-year possibility subsequent offseason. That’s an costly proposition for a man who might have performed simply 10 video games and never proven any constant outcomes. Minnesota might have traded him previous to or throughout the NFL Draft, however they could have one other alternative throughout coaching camp.
Minnesota Vikings quarterback Carson Wentz goes via pregame warmups earlier than a matchup in opposition to the Philadelphia Eagles at U.S. Financial institution Stadium on Oct. 19, 2025, in Minneapolis, Minnesota. The veteran passer ready on the sphere previous to kickoff whereas serving as a depth possibility for the Vikings throughout the 2025 season. Obligatory Credit score: Brad Rempel-Imagn Pictures.
McCarthy isn’t going to web the worth essential to take him with the tenth total choose. He might, nevertheless, be dangled to a workforce wanting to make use of him this yr, get some draft compensation, and take away the chance that he’s little greater than a distraction.
It’s unlikely that O’Connell has the time to develop each McCarthy and Brosmer behind the scenes this season. If Murray works, neither can be mandatory within the years to come back anyway. 4 quarterbacks are plenty of mouths to feed, and whittling that group down isn’t an outlandish suggestion.
Ted Schwerzler is a Minneapolis primarily based blogger that covers the Minnesota Twins and Vikings. Sharing ideas always on Twitter, … Extra about Ted Schwerzler
