Dec 21, 2025; East Rutherford, New Jersey, USA; Minnesota Vikings quarterback J.J. McCarthy (9) and head coach Kevin O’Connell hug earlier than the sport at MetLife Stadium. Necessary Credit score: Robert Deutsch-Imagn Pictures
Again in rookie minicamp, the Vikings welcomed a veteran passer to city in an effort to maintain the pigskin spinnin’. Cooper Rush has been a professional for a very long time, resulting in some consideration about him going out for a cluster of practices meant for the NFL’s latest workers.
Kevin O’Connell demonstrated some good self consciousness on the matter. In reality, he made jokes about hoping that Rush didn’t hold up the telephone resulting from being requested about coming to the Twin Cities for an uncommon association.
A part of O’Connell’s hope was to construct a communication avenue ought to there be a necessity for an emergency passer. Pursuing that preliminary plan might now must happen on the entrance workplace stage since Rush is not unemployed.
Have a look at what ESPN’s Adam Schefter mentioned within the replace: “With Atlanta QB Tua Tagovailoa dealing with a tight back and Michael Penix still not practicing due to a knee injury, the Falcons are signing veteran quarterback Cooper Rush, per sources.”
The Vikings’ Emergency QB Plan
The Falcons are being led by Kevin Stefanski. If that title sounds acquainted, then that’s for good cause. Coach Stefanski obtained his begin within the NFL with the Vikings, rising as much as being the offensive coordinator earlier than getting stolen away to be the pinnacle coach of the Browns.
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Stefanski is now in Atlanta to work alongside a pair of southpaw passers. Most notably, there’s Michael Penix Jr.. He’s the quarterback who obtained chosen at No. 8 in the identical draft the place J.J. McCarthy went at No. 10. A part of what made that call wild (apart from the transfer being an enormous attain) was that Kirk Cousins had simply been signed to a monstrous contract. Atlanta created a large number and remains to be digesting the implications.
Sep 10, 2023; Cleveland, Ohio, USA; Cleveland Browns head coach Kevin Stefanski congratulates quarterback Deshaun Watson (4) for his landing run towards the Cincinnati Bengals in the course of the second quarter at Cleveland Browns Stadium. Necessary Credit score: Scott Galvin-USA TODAY Sports activities
In any other case, there’s Tua Tavogailoa on the town to battle for the beginning spot.
Upon first look, using these two quarterbacks would seem to depart little room for a 3rd passer. The difficulty is that each are working via damage, albeit of a special severity.
Marc Raimondi (ESPN) with an replace on Penix: “Penix said it might be another four weeks to get cleared or maybe earlier, depending on how his body feels during camp.” In the meantime, Tagovailoa is inching nearer. Schefter despatched a fast phrase on the matter: “Falcons HC Kevin Stefanski said QB Tua Tagovailoa ‘will be out there sooner rather than later.’”
So, the pivot is towards Cooper Rush. He’ll shortly be taught his project whereas permitting for Atlanta to perform in coaching camp practices.
Dec 7, 2025; East Rutherford, New Jersey, USA; Miami Dolphins quarterback Tua Tagovailoa (1) walks on the sector after the sport towards the New York Jets at MetLife Stadium. Necessary Credit score: Ed Mulholland-Imagn Pictures
Minnesota’s passer depth chart is fairly stuffed. Take a look at how most view issues:
QB1 Kyler Murray
QB2 J.J. McCarthy
QB3 Carson Wentz
QB4 Max Brosmer
Of these choices, Max Brosmer is probably the most insecure in his roster spot. What’s considerably ironic is that the firmest project belongs to Carson Wentz. He’s near assured of being the emergency quarterback. The place there’s room for some debate is who secures the highest spot.
What threatens issues is the ever-present hazard of damage. The 2023 season was undermined largely by shuffling via 4 quarterbacks. One thing related could possibly be mentioned of the 2025 season as a result of three completely different quarterbacks who have been wanted final 12 months. Minnesota’s method has been to hope for the perfect whereas planning for the worst.
In Cooper Rush, the Vikings felt as if that they had a break-glass-in-case-of-emergency choice sitting in free company. Leaving him there, in free company, meant permitting for some threat of shedding him. Minnesota might want to look elsewhere for a veteran shepherd for his or her advanced scheme if damage runs amok on the QB room but once more.
Vikings quarterback J.J. McCarthy drops again and delivers a first-quarter throw at U.S. Financial institution Stadium, Jan 4, 2026, in Minneapolis towards the Inexperienced Bay Packers. The snapshot captured McCarthy working throughout the construction of the offense early, as Minnesota regarded to determine rhythm and tempo throughout a high-stakes divisional matchup. Necessary Credit score: Jeffrey Becker-Imagn Pictures.
Cooper Rush, 32, has performed in 42 NFL video games courting again to 2017.
Senior Editor for Vikings Territory & PurplePTSD . Twitter & Bluesky: @VikingsGazette. E mail: okay.joudry[at]vikingsterritory[dot]com. Canadian. Jude 1:24-25.
