The Minnesota Vikings came away with a massive 27-24 win in Week 9 against the Detroit Lions. It was J.J. McCarthy’s first game back from injury, and he proved to everyone why he deserves to be Minnesota’s starting quarterback.
Carson Wentz, who signed a one-year $1.42 million deal with the Vikings in the offseason, started five games for the team in McCarthy’s absence. He went 2-3, but suffered a season-ending shoulder injury, and now the NFC North team is without a proven backup quarterback.
Vikings Expected To Add a Veteran QB
Ahead of Tuesday’s trade deadline, CBS Sports’ NFL insider Jonathan Jones provided clarity on the Vikings’ quarterback situation.
“That building is used to having conversations around the acquisition of quarterbacks,” Jones wrote about the Vikings. “I wouldn’t be surprised if those conversations continued into Tuesday and resulted in a late pick going somewhere for a low-priced veteran who would not threaten J.J. McCarthy’s starting status (Carson Wentz is out for the season).”
“Don’t forget Minnesota brought in Daniel Jones last season after he was released by the Giants,” he added.
Heading into the trade deadline, Max Brosmer is currently the Vikings’ backup quarterback. He signed as an undrafted free agent with the Vikings this past offseason and impressed in the preseason to secure a roster spot. However, Minnesota needs another option at the quarterback position to avoid a disaster if McCarthy gets hurt again.
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Players like Russell Wilson, Kirk Cousins, and Jameis Winston could be good options for the Vikings to trade for. All of them are experienced veterans who won’t cause any issues in the locker room.
Cousins had a successful tenure with the Vikings, but based on recent reports, Minnesota might not be willing to trade for its former quarterback.
The Vikings’ offense currently ranks 11th in the league according to PFSN’s Offense Impact metric. In three starts, McCarthy has thrown for 444 yards, four touchdowns, and four interceptions while completing 57.6% of his throws.
The second-year quarterback currently ranks 36th in the league according to PFSN’s QB Impact metric, but he is expected to get better with more games under his belt.
There is no doubt that the Vikings and head coach Kevin O’Connell believe that McCarthy is their franchise quarterback. However, since they have a Super Bowl-contending roster, the franchise must add a veteran quarterback before the deadline, even though it will be for precautionary reasons.