Minnesota Vikings’ options at quarterback next season just got more interesting
Expectations are that Kirk Cousins will likely come to Minnesota, but another similar player could be an option.
We know the Minnesota Vikings will bring in competition at quarterback this offseason, but who they bring in remains unclear. Head coach Kevin O’Connell was honest about it during his end-of-season press conference.
“I absolutely want a competitive situation,” said O’Connell. “Obviously, J.J. [McCarthy] is going to be a major, major emphasis for our staff and our team and me personally, and we’ll figure out what that looks like as we navigate the early part of this offseason when it comes to managing the roster.
“I think ultimately, we’ve got to decide how to not only continue J.J.’s progression, allow him to continue to ascend as a young player, 22 years old with 10 starts, but at the same time, as I said, I think the competition in that room will only enhance our entire team.”
Derek Carr becomes intriguing option for Minnesota Vikings
The top quarterback option for the Vikings will likely be Kirk Cousins of the Atlanta Falcons. He will be released before the start of the league year. He is familiar with the offense and most of its players. Considering he is now a capable backup-type quarterback, it makes sense for both sides.
The Vikings will likely have competition for Cousins, including the Falcons, who could try to re-sign him to a different contract, with Michael Penix Jr.’s torn ACL likely causing him to miss time. If they want another quarterback at a level similar to Cousins, they may pivot to former New Orleans Saints and Las Vegas Raiders quarterback Derek Carr.
The Insiders on NFL Network reported that Carr may consider returning to the field in the right situation.
“Carr and his brother David have joked a few times on their Home Grown podcast about a return to the Raiders, especially since Klint Kubiak, Derek’s offensive coordinator with the Saints in 2024 and the current OC for the Seahawks, is slated to accept the team’s head-coaching job after today’s Super Bowl. But the Raiders hold the No. 1 overall pick in April’s NFL Draft and are expected to use it on Indiana quarterback Fernando Mendoza.
“Carr doesn’t seem to be actively chasing a return to the NFL. He’s indicated he has enjoyed spending time with family and taking on various projects. But he surely knows the interest is there, and sources have said the right situation and coaching staff could lure Carr back onto the field.”
Carr isn’t a sexy option for the Vikings. In fact, you could argue he’s closer to a depressing one. He was dreadful with the Saints during his two years there and ultimately retired due to injuries, including a torn labrum in his throwing shoulder.
The interesting thing here with a potential Carr acquisition is that the Saints hold his rights, meaning a trade would be the most likely option, and it probably wouldn’t be much more than a sixth- and seventh-round pick swap.
It would behoove the Vikings to have a better option than Carr, but if the plan is to give McCarthy every chance to start this season, having someone like Carr who can play but isn’t a long-term solution makes sense.