Andrew Buller-Russ
It’s no secret that the Minnesota Vikings want to add another quarterback to the roster this offseason. Some teams are wishy-washy, trying to determine whether they have enough talent in the QB room. Not the Vikings. They know they need more experience among a group that features a first-year pro and a second-year pro and nothing else.
Chances are, the Vikings will bring 2024 first-round pick J.J. McCarthy back for another season, hoping he can take a massive step forward after leading the NFL in interception rate. After struggling with accuracy and touch, McCarthy needs to both become more consistent while somehow proving he can be more durable too. Most importantly, he just needs to show he can lead an NFL offense.
Either way, the Vikings will be upgrading at the position. Whether it’s to add more depth or find someone who can supplant McCarthy remains to be seen. Yet, football insiders have been busy gathering intel on what the Vikings might do, and those conversations continued this week at the NFL combine.
According to The Athletic‘s Alec Lewis, one quarterback Vikings fans should monitor this offseason is Geno Smith from the Las Vegas Raiders. Smith, a two-time Pro Bowler who signed a two-year, $75 million extension upon being traded to Vegas last offseason, is viewed as a likely cap casualty this offseason.
“The Vikings are in the market for a productive, reliable and experienced former starting quarterback. They know they need insurance for 23-year-old quarterback J.J. McCarthy. They also believe that many of the available candidates would be able to produce in their pass-heavy system with superstar receiver Justin Jefferson. The Vikings haven’t zeroed in on one specific name because they don’t know who’s going to be available. However, if the Las Vegas Raiders cut Geno Smith, he’s one to monitor.”
The Athletic’s Alec Lewis on Vikings QB situation
With the Raiders expected to move forward by selecting Fernando Mendoza with the first overall pick in the 2026 NFL Draft, Smith would be a fairly expensive backup with a cap hit of $26.5 million. If they do move on from the 35-year-old Smith, expect the Raiders to find another experienced backup who can help Mendoza during his rookie year.
Related: ‘Lot of Talk’ of Minnesota Vikings’ Interest in 4x Pro Bowl QB at NFL Combine
