Another Backup Quarterback Gone

The Minnesota Vikings could use a veteran backup quarterback. Despite being on the wrong side of 40 years of age, Joe Flacco has often been mentioned by pundits and fans as a contender for that spot. It would be a little fun to have a quarterback on the roster that was selected in the same draft as the head coach. Flacco is about a year older than Kevin O’Connell. Whether the Vikings even considered him for the backup job, Flacco is no longer an option. News arrived this morning that he’s signing with the Cleveland Browns. 

The hope is and will always be that J.J. McCarthy takes every meaningful snap this season and coming seasons. Whether for a mentorship role or whatever, it would be nice to have a veteran quarterback supporting McCathy. So, who could be that veteran quarterback. The following are available.

Carson Wentz

Ryan Tannehill

Drew Lock

Teddy Bridgewater

Desmond Ridder

Easton Stick

Josh Johnson

C.J. Beathard

Jeff Driskel

Tyler Huntley

It’s a fairly bleak list. In my opinion, Carson Wentz and Ryan Tannehill are the only options. Drew Lock is a distant third option. Teddy Bridgewater is a slightly more distant fourth option. Even when Flacco was available, I preferred Wentz and Tannehill. Of those two, I like Wentz. After spending the 2023 season in Sean McVay’s offense, he’d have a head start in adjusting to Kevin O’Connell’s offense. Tannehill was out of football last season. If the Vikings decision-makers are even considering Tannehill, I’m guessing that he’s a fallback option. If he’s their top choice, they could’ve signed him already without risking the compensatory pick formula. The Vikings are currently in line to be awarded two, and maybe three, compensatory picks next year. Any further free agent signings before the draft would probably remove one of those picks. The Vikings have put free agency on pause until after the draft. 

There’s also the possibility that the Vikings could go the trade route to find a veteran quarterback. Kwesi Adofo-Mensah and Kevin O’Connell went that route in the summer of 2022 when they acquired Nick Mullens before the start of the season. Perhaps the Vikings could pry Sam Howell from the Seattle Seahawks or Aidan O’Connell from the Las Vegas Raiders. Howell had some fun moments in 2023 with the Washington Commanders. I still might prefer Wentz to both. 

I believe that the team’s quarterback chaos in 2023 has everyone that cares about the Vikings on edge about the overly important position. The injury to Kirk Cousins triggered a quarterbacking carousel was mostly a nightmare to witness. Injuries will always be part of football. Hopefully, J.J. McCarthy got his injury history out of the way last season. Hopefully, he takes every meaningful snap moving forward.