J.J. McCarthy is expected to start for the Minnesota Vikings in 2025, providing the former first-round pick a chance to flourish. However, the organization has been linked to several veteran quarterbacks this summer, and new information has emerged about their approach.
Minnesota initially attempted to re-sign quarterback Sam Darnold before he left for the Seattle Seahawks, where he will be the unquestioned starter in 2025. After missing out on a Darnold reunion, the team entered a bidding war for Daniel Jones, which it eventually lost to the Indianapolis Colts.
Days after Jones and Darnold left, NFL rumors circulated that the Vikings would consider signing Aaron Rodgers. However, with the organization divided on bringing in the future Hall of Famer and forcing McCarthy to compete against him, Minnesota passed on the four-time NFL MVP.
There are still plenty of capable backup quarterbacks available in NFL free agency that could provide some veteran experience behind McCarthy. However, there appears to be a valid reason why Minnesota is taking its time before introducing one.
Sam Darnold
During the most recent episode of Yahoo Sports’ Inside Coverage podcast, senior NFL insider Charles Robinson discussed the Vikings’ plans to recruit a veteran quarterback and why they are taking their time.
“They’re not gonna, I believe,a dd a veteran backup into that room until after the draft. Why? It’ll effect their comp pick situation. They have a third and a fifth-round compensatory pick based on what’s happened this offseason, waiting for them next year. But if they sign another quarterback, it’s going to affect the comp-pick equation.”
Signing Rodgers would imperil Minnesota’s compensatory pick at the end of the third round of the 2026 NFL Draft. Even if Rodgers signs with the Pittsburgh Steelers, bringing in someone like Joe Flacco or Carson Wentz might imperil the fifth-round compensation pick.
As a result, Minnesota is anticipated to wait until at least the Monday following the 2025 NFL Draft to sign a seasoned quarterback. As for who may be a good fit, Robinson offered Wentz, who was the backup quarterback for the Los Angeles Rams in 2023 and would be familiar with Kevin O’Connell’s scheme Wentz would also be more willing to accept a backup role.
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