The Minnesota Vikings’ quarterback room is vacant and in need of reinforcements following the peak of NFL free agency.
With Sam Darnold departing for the Seattle Seahawks, Daniel Jones joining the Indianapolis Colts and Nick Mullens bound for the Jacksonville Jaguars, the Vikings are left with just J.J. McCarthy as their presumptive starter and backup Brett Rypien.
Minnesota needs a backup capable of starting in a pinch or if McCarthy is not ready to start Week 1.
With Sam Darnold departing for the Seattle Seahawks, Daniel Jones joining the Indianapolis Colts and Nick Mullens bound for the Jacksonville Jaguars, the Vikings are left with just J.J. McCarthy as their presumptive starter and backup Brett Rypien.
Minnesota needs a backup capable of starting in a pinch or if McCarthy is not ready to start Week 1.
Jones seemed to be the No. 1 option after the Vikings gave him a trial run in their system late in the 2024 season. However, they’re now on the search in the second-tier of free agency.
There are several notable names available who have plenty of starting experience but are past their prime — and one seems to be in favor with the Vikings front office.
KSTP’s Darren Wolfson reported on March 11 that Marcus Mariota is admired within the Vikings organization.
“There’s still people in this front office going back years that have been fans of Marcus Mariota,” Wolfson said on SKOR North, adding that he is among several free agents to consider.
Drafted No. 2 overall after winning the Heisman Trophy with the Oregon Ducks in 2015, Mariota has a 34-40 record as a starter and a 90.1 career passer rating.
As a backup to Washington Commanders starter and NFL Offensive Rookie of the Year Jayden Daniels last season, Mariota played in three games, throwing for 364 yards, four touchdowns and no interceptions.
Daniels exited a Week 18 matchup with the Dallas Cowboys with an injury, thrusting Mariota into the final half of the game. Mariota led a 23-19 comeback victory which included a 5-yard touchdown connection with Terry McLaurin with 3 seconds remaining to clinch the game and the No. 6 seed in the NFC playoffs.
While the front office seems like it would have interest in Mariota, Kevin O’Connell ultimately will have the final say in their potential targets to refill the quarterback room.
The Vikings took swings on first-round reclamation projects like Darnold and Jones last season and have options to do the same this spring.
Mac Jones would fit that mold and has 49 starts under his belt, while Trey Lance would be more of a developmental project with just five career starts to his name.
For more veteran quarterbacks, there’s the obvious Aaron Rodgers route; but Russell Wilson, Gardner Minshew, Jacoby Brissett, Taylor Heinecke and Carson Wentz would be better culture fits in Minnesota.
