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Our Official Predictions for the Vikings’ Next QB Move
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- Our Official Predictions for the Vikings’ Next QB Move
Joe Nicholson
By the second or third week of March, the Minnesota Vikings will likely reveal their offseason quarterback addition, either via trade or free agency. The team's leaders have expressed a desire for a deep quarterback room this offseason, and the only way to do that is add at least one more passer. Two weeks before free agency, our writers have official predictions for that transaction.
The common thread: keep the floor high while still betting on McCarthy as the long-term answer.
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The question to each of our writers: "With free agency about two weeks away, I ask you to predict the three main guys in the Vikings' quarterback room when Week 1 rolls around."
Veteran Quarterback Options Loom for Minnesota
Here's how the panel replied.
Las Vegas Raiders quarterback Geno Smith (7) pauses in the stadium tunnel awaiting introductions before kickoff, maintaining a focused expression while teammates gather nearby ahead of a road matchup. On Dec 21, 2025, Smith prepared for action at NRG Stadium against the Houston Texans in a late-season contest with postseason implications and heightened attention around the veteran passer. Mandatory Credit: Thomas Shea-Imagn Images.
1. Geno Smith
Predictor: Wesley Johnson
The plan is to add a vet who will push J.J. McCarthy and ultimately be able to supplant him should he falter. Geno Smith should be just that guy, especially coming off a down year in Vegas.
Prediction for the Week 1 QB Room:
QB1: J.J. McCarthy
QB2: Geno Smith
QB3: Rookie
2. Aaron Rodgers
Predictor: Sean Borman
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Rodgers coming to Minnesota, as unlikely as it is, would be very much in the Vikings' spirit. With Brzezinski running the show , it would be the ultimate "all-in" move for a front office that just hit the reset button on their GM, essentially betting that a one-year rental of a legend is the best way for Kevin O'Connell to retain his job and keep Justin Jefferson from demanding a trade while J.J. McCarthy finds his footing.
Prediction for the Week 1 QB Room:
QB1: Aaron Rodgers
QB2: J.J. McCarthy
QB3: Max Brosmer
3. Marcus Mariota
Predictor: Josh Frey
Maybe the Vikings are done with J.J. McCarthy, but I just don't think Kevin O'Connell wants to get rid of the young QB just yet. Regardless, some competition is needed from the QB2 spot, and Marcus Mariota fits into a sweet spot of being a competent quarterback while not being an imminent threat to take over the starting role.
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Prediction for the Week 1 QB Room:
QB1: J.J. McCarthy
QB2: Marcus Mariota
QB3: Max Brosmer
4. Jimmy Garoppolo
Predictor: Steve Hoikkala
I don't see the Vikings making a trade for Mac Jones or Kyler Murray . I think they stick with J.J. McCarthy in hopes he continues to develop, and if he doesn't, better quarterback options will be available in 2027.
Garoppolo is a cheap veteran option who is a system quarterback who would fit right in as a mentor to McCarthy. I expect the Vikings to pick up a quarterback in the draft as a project at QB3 in the mid-to-late rounds.
Prediction for the Week 1 QB Room:
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QB1: J.J. McCarthy
QB2: Jimmy Garoppolo
QB3: Drew Allar
5. Justin Fields
Predictor: Kyle Joudry
In this formulation, the Vikings have solidified the position's floor. What remains to be seen is how high the ceiling is with a top twosome of McCarthy alongside Fields.
Prediction for the Week 1 QB Room:
QB1: J.J. McCarthy
QB2: Justin Fields
QB3: Carson Wentz
6. Anthony Richardson
Predictor: Ali Siddiqui
Kevin O'Connell likes Richardson. Many think that's who the Vikings will go after, and it is not surprising why. Richardson could all benefit from a change of scenery, and he is in the final year of his rookie contract, so he isn't very expensive, and the Vikings wouldn't have to give up much to get him.
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Prediction for the Week 1 QB Room:
QB1: J.J. McCarthy
QB2: Anthony Richardson
QB3: Max Brosmer
t7. Kyler Murray
Predictor: Adam New
Arizona Cardinals quarterback Kyler Murray (1) surveys the field during warmups while preparing mentally for the upcoming matchup, helmet on and eyes forward as players and staff move around him near the sideline. On Dec 15, 2019, Murray readied himself at State Farm Stadium before facing the Cleveland Browns during his early-career stretch as Arizona's starting quarterback. Mandatory Credit: Matt Kartozian-USA TODAY Sports.
With Kevin O'Connell's future potentially on the line in 2026, I just can't see him throwing all of his eggs in the J.J. McCarthy basket. As far as a veteran addition goes, Kyler Murray just makes the most sense.
Prediction for the Week 1 QB Room:
QB1: Kyler Murray
QB2: J.J. McCarthy
QB3: Max Brosmer
t7. Kyler Murray
Predictor: Brevan Bane
I've been saying that Kevin O'Connell should sleep in the bed he helped make with the selection of J.J. McCarthy in 2024. Regardless, it feels like KOC is coaching for his job this year. Everyone knows that Minnesota has a roster good enough to make a "run," and QB play was a major reason why they couldn't last season.
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Head coaches are humans at the end of the day, trying to save their own behind when their back is against the wall. A change of scenery for Murray and a marriage with one of the best offensive minds in the NFL could mean fireworks in U.S. Bank Stadium.
Prediction for the Week 1 QB Room:
QB1: Kyler Murray
QB2: J.J. McCarthy
QB3: Max Brosmer
t7. Kyler Murray
Predictor: Dustin Baker
It feels increasingly likely the Cardinals will release Murray; wouldn't they have traded him by now if quarterback-needy teams had known he wouldn't be released?
If Minnesota had to trade for Murray, the prediction here would've been a Vikings deal for Mac Jones — probably a 2nd-Rounder and 5th-Rounder to San Francisco for Jones and a 3rd-Round pick. But Murray, if released, will basically be free for a year, and that's just perfect for a cash-strapped team like the Vikings.
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Because Arizona will drop him and move on, Minnesota won't be available to ignore the value of a free Kyler Murray. As a kid, he cheered for Adrian Peterson 's Vikings, so everything comes full circle.
Prediction for the Week 1 QB Room:
QB1: Kyler Murray
QB2: J.J. McCarthy
QB3: Carson Wentz
t10. Kirk Cousins
Predictor: Cole Smith
The depth chart that no one wants but everyone knows is coming. Cousins brings a level of professionalism to the room that gives the team a much higher floor.
Prediction for the Week 1 QB Room:
QB1: Kirk Cousins
QB2: J.J. McCarthy
QB3: Max Brosmer
t10. Kirk Cousins
Predictor: Janik Eckardt
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It feels inevitable, doesn't it? The Vikings are reportedly in the market for a veteran quarterback to challenge McCarthy, and Cousins is expected to be in the market for a team with a quarterback vacancy. McCarthy and Cousins will compete for the QB1 gig, while Brosmer remains a developmental QB3 on the roster.
Prediction for the Week 1 QB Room:
QB1: Kirk Cousins
QB2: J.J. McCarthy
QB3: Max Brosmer
t10. Kirk Cousins
Predictor: Tony Schultz
Minnesota Vikings quarterback Sam Darnold (14) greets Atlanta Falcons quarterback Kirk Cousins (18) with a handshake near midfield following a competitive contest between former and current Vikings signal-callers. On Dec 8, 2024, the veteran quarterbacks exchanged words at U.S. Bank Stadium after Minnesota and Atlanta completed a closely watched matchup featuring familiar faces on both sidelines. Mandatory Credit: Matt Krohn-Imagn Images.
I still think the team sticks with McCarthy as their starter. If you wanted the team to keep Sam Darnold after everyone had given up on him, isn't that why you keep McCarthy? To develop him? To not let him go? To get there with your own guy? That's how I see it staying, whether you think it's the staff's process or their ego.
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We're still a ways out, and bringing back Kirk Cousins as a veteran presence and good competition, or Malik Willis as young competition to push McCarthy, are both good strategies. Brosmer may bring up the rear unless the team finds another wayward soul in need of reclamation. One thing's for sure, we'll see the direction this team is heading in shortly.
Prediction for the Week 1 QB Room:
QB1: J.J. McCarthy
QB2: Kirk Cousinsor Malik Willis
QB3: Max Brosmeror Developmental Prospect
