The Minnesota Vikings made their starting QB intentions for the future clear when they selected J.J. McCarthy with the 10th overall pick in the 2024 NFL Draft.
However, the future is a bit murky at the position behind McCarthy moving into 2025 and beyond. Sam Darnold, of course, likely will land a sizeable contract this offseason to become a starter elsewhere, and Nick Mullens is set to hit free agency as well.
If the Vikings are forced to look elsewhere for a backup QB in 2025, here are a few names who could be options.
Marcus Mariota
The 2015 second overall pick hasn’t quite had the career that many hoped he would, but Marcus Mariota has turned himself into a very quality backup quarterback.
When rookie sensation Jayden Daniels was dealing with a rib injury a few weeks ago, Mariota came in and completed 18 of 23 passes for 205 yards and a pair of touchdowns. Granted, this performance came against the Carolina Panthers, but it was evidence that Mariota still has plenty of football left in him.
Daniel Jones
The Vikings are already in the midst of reviving Sam Darnold’s career this season, so could they decide to try it again with another disappointing QB from New York?
Daniel Jones earned himself a massive contract following the 2022 season when he led the New York Giants to the playoffs and upset the Minnesota Vikings in the Wild Card round. Since then, though, Jones has been supremely disappointing, and it has gotten to the point where New York has opted to bench him after a 2-8 start to the season.
The Giants can cut Jones this offseason without taking on boatloads of dead money, and it seems likely that they do. If it happens, Jones can probably be grabbed at a very reasonable price this offseason to sit behind J.J. McCarthy.
Gardner Minshew
Gardner Minshew is a more controlled version of Nick Mullens at this point in his career. Ever the gunslinger, Minshew has fired off 1783 passing yards, eight touchdowns, and nine interceptions over nine games with the Las Vegas Raiders this year.
Minshew has plenty of starting experience in the NFL, and he has shown signs of promise when the situation around him is a positive one. Last season, he helped the Colts go 7-6 in his 13 starts, throwing for over 3300 passing yards and 17 TDs.
Joe Flacco
Remember when it seemed as if Joe Flacco’s career was over as he sat as a backup in a putrid New York Jets offense?
A lot can change in a couple years, and Flacco has become a mercenary free agent signing over the past couple years. He completely flipped the tides in Cleveland last season, leading the Browns to a 4-1 record in his five starts and a playoff berth.
This year with the Colts hasn’t seen as many wins as Indianapolis is 1-3 in his four starts, but the numbers are still respectable. Flacco can still sling it, and maybe he can be a veteran presence in the locker room to help bring along McCarthy.
Editor’s Note: Statistics for this article were found via Pro Football Reference.
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