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Former Vikings Quarterback Snags a Contract in Tinseltown
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- Former Vikings Quarterback Snags a Contract in Tinseltown
IMAGN IMAGES via Reuters Connect
The Los Angeles Chargers are a flailing football team. Maybe the former Vikings quarterback can offer a small boost.
Tom Pelissero, an NFL insider who is well-connected to Minnesota Vikings football, sent along the update about Jake Browning getting a contract to become a Charger. Consider the basic, matter-of-fact update : "The Chargers are signing veteran QB Jake Browning, per source."
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Former Vikings Quarterback Now in LA
Recent years have seen Minnesota football fans become unusually familiar with the importance of QB depth .
For a long time, Kirk Cousins was an ironman who never got hurt. But then he suffered a non-contact injury that ended his 2023 season just as the Vikings were turning things around. The well-paid veteran's Achilles needed a lengthy recovery and the Minnesota Vikings needed to move through all of Nick Mullens, Jaren Hall, and Joshua Dobbs. Note that each of Mullens and Hall had their own injury issues during that season.
After the 2023 season, the QB issue settled down since Sam Darnold was the passer for almost the whole year. Just remember that Darnold secured the job in an unquestioned manner after J.J. McCarthy was lost for the full '24 season due to a torn meniscus in the preseason.
Sep 21, 2025; Minneapolis, Minnesota, USA; Cincinnati Bengals quarterback Brett Rypien (11) fist bumps quarterback Jake Browning (6) prior to a game against the Minnesota Vikings at U.S. Bank Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Brad Rempel-Imagn Images
And then, of course, the 2025 season saw a rollercoaster take place as McCarthy, Carson Wentz, and Max Brosmer got shuffled through the QB1 job due to injury. Goodness, even the 2026 season has seen some injury turmoil arrive with Kyler Murray already missing some time due to a concussion.
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So, QB depth matters.
In Jake Browning , the Chargers are getting a an okay on-field option who carries himself with some swagger and a chip on his shoulder. Something to be said for that as a QB2 or QB3; anybody who gets inserted into the game from that role does so after something bad happened, such as injury or poor play. Being able to quickly inspire confidence in teammates is to be coveted in a depth arm.
Browning got his NFL career off the ground as a Minnesota Viking, scooped up as an undrafted talent in 2019. Where he really hit his stride, though, was as a backup with the Cincinnati Bengals, a team he played for from 2021 through the 2025 season.
His career has involved going 4-6 while completing 68.5% of his passes for 2,707 yards, 18 touchdowns, and 15 interceptions. At a basic level, Browning's numbers point toward playing average ball, a decent outcome for a depth arm. He memorably led his Bengal to a win over the Vikings during the '23 season, a feat he was sure to celebrate.
Cincinnati Bengals quarterback Jake Browning (6) calls a play during the third quarter of a regular season NFL football matchup Monday, Dec. 4, 2023 at EverBank Stadium in Jacksonville, Fla. The Cincinnati Bengals defeated the Jacksonville Jaguars 34-31 in overtime. © Corey Perrine/Florida Times-Union / USA TODAY NETWORK.
Most recently, he battled down in Tampa Bay for a depth passer job but got let go. He was hanging around as a free agent before the Chargers picked up the former Vikings quarterback.
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The 0-5 Chargers are a team to monitor. LA came into the year with plenty of optimism but has totally flopped. Some of the talent over in Tinseltown has been in the NFL's trade rumors. As it relates to the Vikings, there could be some need to help at running back, tight end, safety, and/or along the offensive line. Maybe GM Nolan Teasley can go shopping in Los Angeles.
Jake Browning is 30.
Also Read on Vikings Territory: Buzz Builds for 1 Vikings Receiver in the NFL's Trade Rumors
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