The Minnesota Vikings are flirting with a quarterback controversy on their hands for a third straight offseason in 2026.
The quarterback position for the Vikings has been an issue for a while, but they expect J.J. McCarthy to be the guy at some point. The only issue they are running into is that in more than three-quarters of the season in which he has played, he has looked abysmal. He hesitates to throw receivers open, he is holding onto the ball too long, and he is taking more sacks than he should. All of this is happening while the Vikings get to watch the likes of Sam Darnold, Kirk Cousins, and Daniel Jones enjoy strong Week 12 performances.
That has us wondering if they were to move on, who could they target? We have five options in mind this offseason that they could target.
The Minnesota Vikings are familiar with Daniel Jones after he spent the second half of last year as an emergency option for the team. Since signing with the Colts this offseason, he has played at a level that many thought was possible, except maybe former Giants general manager Dave Gettleman, who drafted him back in 2019. Jones is using his dual-threat ability to make plays, and he is trusting his eyes more than ever. Both of those things would serve the Vikings’ offense well if they deem a reunion necessary.
Malik Willis struggled in the first stop of his NFL career in Tennessee, but has flourished as an emergency option for the Packers. He has started some and shown he can make plays within the right offensive structure. Kevin O’Connell could utilize him to make this offense more dynamic, or at the very least, have a good security option for a backup if things don’t get better.
3) Mac Jones, San Francisco 49ers
Speaking of quarterbacks who have looked like a reinvented version of himself, Mac Jones is playing at a rate that not many people could have imagined, even the Patriots who drafted him. Jones would be coming from the 49ers, the same team that started the rebirth of Sam Darnold’s career. Jones, with playmakers like the Vikings boast, would allow him to have the best chance at success, and the offense wouldn’t have to change much at all.
4) Jayden Maiava, USC
In the second round, they could take a chance to replace McCarthy, or at least have him poised to have a make-or-break in 2026. Maiava has a live arm, makes good decisions, and has excellent ball placement to his receivers in stride. The USC offense is looking efficient with his direction under center, and he has shown he can put the ball in the hands of his playmakers, which has been lacking this year in Minnesota.
5) Kyler Murray, Arizona Cardinals
This is the most exciting and most anxiety-inducing option here. Kyler Murray showed enough at one point to earn a massive extension, but since then, he has played well beyond his potential. He boasts a strong arm, dual-threat ability, and he can make plays that the team is missing from the quarterback position. It would take a lot to get it down, and perhaps it would make Kwesi Adofo-Mensah not be the general manager to get it done, but there are worse ideas out there.
