Former Minnesota Vikings tight end Kyle Rudolph does not want to see his old team "run it back" with the same quarterback plan, instead insisting that current QB1 J.J. McCarthy should compete for his job this summer. Rudolph's main idea for the competition? Mac Jones , the San Francisco 49ers ' QB2.
Rudolph claims Jones as the QB who can start or back up without drama, giving the Vikings stability while McCarthy develops.
Rudolph joined the Up and Adams Show this week and wasn't shy about pounding the table for Jones and his idea for the Vikings' quarterback plan. He wants change.
Jones might be a hot commodity on the trade market.
New England Patriots quarterback Mac Jones sets his feet and scans downfield at MetLife Stadium, Sunday, November 26, 2023, preparing to deliver a pass during road action. The image captures pocket posture, timing, and ball security as Jones operates within structure against pressure in a late-season matchup. Mandatory Credit: Kevin R. Wexler / USA TODAY NETWORK.
Rudolph on the Vikings' Failed QB Strategy in 2025
When asked about Minnesota's quarterback situation — going forward and in retrospect — Rudolph did not hold back, chiding the team that drafted him for making it easy on McCarthy in the summer of 2025 .
He told Adams , "I think it's a big mistake that they made last year, kind of, just handing over the reins and not having a veteran to compete with him. You know, there certainly were a few options, one of which is playing this weekend in the NFC championship game."
"Another one in Daniel Jones , that was in the locker room last year, who obviously, you know, I'm a huge fan of and absolutely love his game. This doesn't mean that J.J. can't be your quarterback of the future, but just handing him over a Super Bowl-caliber roster and saying, 'OK, go for it,' and not having a veteran that is in that room and competing against him, I ultimately think that you're not setting him up for success."
Last offseason, the Vikings deemed McCarthy game-ready and added no serious competition in the spring or summer.
"We lived it in the NFC North for two straight decades because of the way the Packers transitioned their quarterbacks. I think the Vikings organization realizes that they're set up to win right now," Rudolph continued.
"And J.J. can still be the guy, and ultimately we can see another veteran quarterback, maybe a guy who's trying to find a home, has played good football, but would be willing to come in on a one-year deal and compete. I think that's ultimately how you'll get the best out of J.J. and set the team up for success in 2026."
So, Rudolph obviously would've done things differently, especially now, because he has the perk of hindsight.
On Mac Jones
Then, Rudolph proceeded to the fun part: his fix, Mac Jones .
"I think you got Mac Jones. To me, if I'm looking at that list, Aaron Rodgers , if he wants to come back and make a run with an incredibly talented roster in a division that he's very familiar with, completely agree. But yeah, bringing somebody in, doesn't really matter who it is," Rudolph said.
"There's plenty of high-caliber veteran quarterbacks that could come in, and Kevin O'Connell always gets the most out of them. There's no better quarterback whisperer than KOC, and I think he would be a great spot if you're a veteran quarterback like a Tua (Tagovailoa, trying to revitalize your career, if he is on the market. Wouldn't be a bad place to look."
Rudolph also name-dropped his buddy, Kirk Cousins , though he doesn't expect Cousins to depart Kevin Stefanski's team: "I do think Kirk would be a guy that would make sense back in Minnesota, but I just don't see him getting out of Atlanta . He's under contract there; they were willing to pay him $45 million to be the backup, and now you bring in a head coach and a play caller that he's very familiar with. So I don't see him getting out of Atlanta."
Why Jones Would Fit in MIN
Jones quietly finished 2025 as the NFL's ninth-best passer by EPA+CPOE . He did it as San Francisco's QB1 in eight games.
When Brock Purdy went down and missed those contests, the 49ers didn't really pout and struggle. Jones stepped in, ran Kyle Shanahan's offense efficiently, and his team went 5–3. He threw for 2,151 yards, 13 touchdowns, and six interceptions, keeping the machine moving, crucial for a team with Super Bowl aspirations. For stretches, parts of the fanbase argued he should keep the job — play the hot hand.
Purdy eventually returned, and San Francisco rolled on toward an NFC Divisional Round matchup with Seattle , where the Seahawks disemboweled them.
Jones fits the Vikings' 2026 reality with ease. He already understands life as the capable understudy. If McCarthy beat him out in camp, Jones wouldn't torch the building. He knows the job.
If Jones won the job, the fun part starts. He's 27, squarely entering his prime, and his 2025 production scaled over 17 games tracks closely with what Sam Darnold gave Minnesota in 2024. That's Top 10 quarterback performance, with the hope he'd show up in big games, unlike Darnold.
Minnesota Vikings tight end Kyle Rudolph celebrates late in the fourth quarter at Ford Field, Oct 20, 2019, in Detroit, Michigan, following a key moment against the Lions. The frame shows emotion and release as Rudolph reacts amid divisional tension during a road win inside a loud indoor setting. Mandatory Credit: Tim Fuller-USA TODAY Sports.
The kicker is Jones' availability. San Francisco knows exactly what it has: one of the league's best insurance policies behind a starter in Purdy, who hasn't exactly been indestructible. Moving Jones carries some risk.
Jones told reporters this week, "I'm on a two-year deal, but I believe I'm a starter in this league, and I'm excited to continue to get better this offseason and see what happens."
"In a way, I had two good seasons in one. I had a season as a starter, kind of, and a season as a backup. It was just so fun to get, like they say, the train back on the tracks. That's what I wanted to do. I put a lot of good film out there."
How about the Price?
If one assumes that the 49ers will trade Jones — they might; they might not — the Vikings or another team can probably donate a mid-round pick for his services. The Vikings will have two 3rd-Rounders this year: their organic pick and one from Darnold's exit (a compensatory pick).
New England Patriots quarterback Mac Jones and New York Jets quarterback Zach Wilson share a postgame moment after a 22-17 result, Sunday, October 30, 2022, following New England's win. The scene reflects sportsmanship between division rivals as helmets come off and emotions settle at the final whistle. Mandatory Credit: Kevin R. Wexler-NorthJersey.com / USA TODAY NETWORK.
Shipping a 3rd-Rounder to San Francisco could be enough.
If that comes to fruition, Minnesota will be in good hands, according to Rudolph.
