2026 Free Agency and Draft: QB

I've always been a fan of Carr. Almost fell out of my chair on draft day when we traded up in the draft and took Bridgewater over him. I think he'd be perfect and checks all the boxes of what the Vikings would be looking for and what all around makes sense. They were talking about Carr on NFL Radio this morning and the thought is the Saints (who still own his rights), would release him as a gesture of good will in response to his gesture of good will and forgoing his salary when he retired. High level veteran, can make all the throws, only 34 (significantly younger than Rodgers or Cousins), and allows you to still keep and develope McCarthy. Win win all the way around

After Carr's 2016 peak, wins got much rarer and he disappeared in big games at a level shared by Kyler Murray.

Where all faults lie is worth conversation, but Cousins certainly proved more and more recently...and both he and Wentz have already been in our system/playbook.

Zanary wrote:
After Carr's 2016 peak, wins got much rarer and he disappeared in big games at a level shared by Kyler Murray.

Where all faults lie is worth conversation, but Cousins certainly proved more and more recently...and both he and Wentz have already been in our system/playbook.

Cousins is a good option for the reasons you mention. One thing arguing for Carr is his age. Will be 35 on opening day. Cousins will be 38. 

I think we can forget about Wentz.  You fired the "problem" in the front office and have adamantly stated how important it is to achieve a truly competitive QB room this time around, and you bring back the exact same QB room the fired guy gave you? Even if Wentz were the best option (he's not), the optics of that decision would be ugly and hard to defend to fans and media.

Wonder what Davis Mills would cost.

Tom Pelissero names 4 QBs the Vikings "are considering." 

Kirk Cousins

If Cousins’ return to Minnesota is a genuine possibility, the central question becomes not whether it happens, but what role he would fill. Cousins was an undisputed QB1 for years, but that’s no longer the case. A reunion would be complex, and Kevin O’Connell would face three options: immediately install Cousins as the Week 1 starter, allow him to compete with J.J. McCarthy, or use him as a strictly backup option — the same insurance role he was projected for in Atlanta in 2025.

In 2023, his last season as Minnesota’s starter, Cousins ranked fifth in the NFL among quarterbacks in EPA per play. In 2024, that number plummeted to 30th out of 35 qualifying passers. Any assessment must consider his torn Achilles from a few years ago; projecting Cousins’ performance in 2026 demands more realism and less nostalgia.

The primary allure of a return lies in the financial aspect. Because the Falcons have essentially already paid Cousins — handsomely — for 2026, his next contract will likely be a bargain. That changes the discourse significantly. The cap-related frustration that followed him from 2018 to 2023 disappears if his salary aligns with that of a backup.

If affordability eliminates the resentment that once surrounded Cousins, will parts of the fanbase that rejected him at his previous price now embrace him at a discount — especially if his role is flexible rather than guaranteed? Who knows.

Mac Jones

The main item surrounding Jones’s 2026 plans isn’t if he can start in the NFL, but what it would cost to acquire him.

In 2025, Jones started eight games for San Francisco, leading the 49ers to a 5–3 record. Extrapolated to a full season, those numbers project to 4,570 passing yards, 28 touchdowns, 13 interceptions, and a 69.6 percent completion rate. That’s Top 15 QB stuff.

Those statistics are also comparable to Sam Darnold’s 2024 season, the same year Minnesota finished 14–3. Neither Jones’s recent game film nor his efficiency metrics suggest he would suddenly regress in Minnesota.

San Francisco is positioned to capitalize on the desperation of quarterback-needy teams via trade, and Minnesota must decide if it will enter the Jones sweepstakes. Jones is a good fit for many teams. Ultimately, interim general manager Rob Brzezinski must decide if sending 1st- or 2nd-Round pick to The Bay — or something similar — is worth it.

Kyler Murray

Murray’s talent is evident, regardless of other options.

Over seven seasons, his EPA+CPOE numbers exceed those of Baker Mayfield, C.J. Stroud, Trevor Lawrence, and Daniel Jones — all quarterbacks currently projected to start in 2026. That established efficiency isn’t negotiable, even though some Vikings fans are oddly hesitant about Murray to Minnesota.

Arizona’s situation strengthens Murray’s case for change. With a new head coach, the Cardinals seem ready to move on after seven years and just one playoff appearance with Murray. The man could be traded any day or released in March.

Considering only realistic possibilities, Murray quickly emerges as a top candidate. Based on his career production and status as the No. 1 overall pick in 2019, he represents the best quarterback Minnesota could realistically acquire this offseason, barring improbable trades involving players like Joe Burrow or Lamar Jackson.

Murray has everything going for him on any given Sunday — aside from height — passing accuracy, arm strength, speed, mobility, and experience.

Geno Smith

Smith’s extensive resume sets him apart from many quarterbacks available this offseason, making him an attractive option for teams that want stability and insurance.

Since 2013, Smith has started 98 games, with his teams compiling a 42–56 record along the way. He averages roughly 203 passing yards per game, with a touchdown-to-interception ratio of 124 to 89, and has added 12 rushing touchdowns.

Seattle’s decision to name him their starter in 2022 revitalized his career, as Smith seized the opportunity, delivering a breakout season with 4,282 passing yards and 30 touchdowns. He retained the role for three seasons before joining the Raiders via trade, which propelled the Seahawks to a Super Bowl win after signing Sam Darnold in 2025 free agency.

However, Smith’s tenure in Las Vegas appears short-lived. With the Raiders widely expected to draft Indiana quarterback Fernando Mendoza using the first overall pick in April, Smith could be traded or demoted. Should he seek a new team, Minnesota is a decent landing spot for all parties.

It’s worth noting that Smith will turn 36 in October.

Good lord, Geno Smith would be awful. That dude is cooked.

Going to plug Haynes King again.

Fran the Tark once opined (on QB prospects) … can he play?
A poster I respect from PT MSP0818, similarly opined on ‘production’. Meaning if a prospect had a history of production, you KNEW what you were getting.

King is projected late rnds/udfa.
Roll the die on him. Already has beat Maye, head to head.

https://www.nfldraftbuzz.com/Player/Haynes-King-QB-TexasAANDM

His Georgia Tech tenure has been defined by clutch performances and record-breaking production across two seasons. King's game-winning touchdown pass to Christian Leary with one second remaining against No. 17 Miami in 2023 stands as one of the most memorable moments in recent Yellow Jackets history, while his four-touchdown passing display in a comeback victory over No. 17 North Carolina showcased his ability to rise to the occasion against ranked competition. The quarterback's 2023 season rewrote multiple school records, including most touchdowns responsible for in a single season (37) and second-most total offense (3,729 yards).

King's 2023 breakout campaign put him in rarified air - joining LSU's Jayden Daniels as the only Power Five signal-caller to eclipse 2,800 passing yards, 25 touchdown passes, 700 rushing yards, and 10 rushing touchdowns. That production earned him honorable mention All-ACC honors and the unwavering respect of teammates who voted him permanent captain.

supafreak84 wrote:
Good lord, Geno Smith would be awful. That dude is cooked.

I've been ignoring Geno Smith for a long time, because I've never really liked that idea. But in some ways he makes a lot of sense. Experienced starter, wouldn't cost much, either in salary or trade comp. Had a stretch on a good team where he played really well, won comeback player of the year. Just like Jeanty, I wouldn't judge him at all based on what he did for the Raiders. That whole team was horrible. I also think he represents a pretty even competition with JJ. It wouldn't be a sexy move, but it gives us what we need.

MaroonBells wrote:

I've been ignoring Geno Smith for a long time, because I've never really liked that idea. But in some ways he makes a lot of sense. Experienced starter, wouldn't cost much, either in salary or trade comp. Had a stretch on a good team where he played really well, won comeback player of the year. Just like Jeanty, I wouldn't judge him at all based on what he did for the Raiders. That whole team was horrible. I also think he represents a pretty even competition with JJ. It wouldn't be a sexy move, but it gives us what we need.

I just think he's cooked. Led the league in interceptions. I get the Raiders were bad, but Geno played his part. His famous quote a few years ago of "they wrote me off, I ain't write back though" was great, but Geno, I think you wrote them back last year.

supafreak84 wrote:

I just think he's cooked. Led the league in interceptions. I get the Raiders were bad, but Geno played his part. His famous quote a few years ago of "they wrote me off, I ain't write back though" was great, but Geno, I think you wrote them back last year.

I'm not very up on Smith,  but maybe the raiders staff/offense just werent a good fit for him?

JimmyinSD wrote:

I'm not very up on Smith,  but maybe the raiders staff/offense just werent a good fit for him?

It was Pete Carroll...the only coach he's had any success under at all in his pro career. The Raiders were not a good team but Geno played his part in that. 

We have to do better than Geno Smith.

supafreak84 wrote:

It was Pete Carroll...the only coach he's had any success under at all in his pro career. The Raiders were not a good team but Geno played his part in that. 

We have to do better than Geno Smith.

I was not a fan of the Geno idea, but I'm coming around to it. I would think for those that want JJ to be the starter next year, Geno might be exactly who you'd want. 

If you divide the candidates into groups, I think there are QBs who would be de facto starters (Murray, Mac J, maybe Rodgers), QBs who would be de facto backups (Mariota, Trubisky), and then QBs who would give us the true competition we're looking for. I tend to think Geno (and maybe Cousins) are options who would provide a competition that could go either way.

MaroonBells wrote:

I was not a fan of the Geno idea, but I'm coming around to it. I would think for those that want JJ to be the starter next year, Geno might be exactly who you'd want. 

If you divide the candidates into groups, I think there are QBs who would be de facto starters (Murray, Mac J, maybe Rodgers), QBs who would be de facto backups (Mariota, Trubisky), and then QBs who would give us the true competition we're looking for. I tend to think Geno (and maybe Cousins) are options who would provide a competition that could go either way.

If Geno is our starter next year in a loaded NFC North, we'll be drafting very high in the 2027 draft and OConnell will be a goner. Maybe that's not the worst thing in the world..

MaroonBells wrote:

I was not a fan of the Geno idea, but I'm coming around to it. I would think for those that want JJ to be the starter next year, Geno might be exactly who you'd want. 

If you divide the candidates into groups, I think there are QBs who would be de facto starters (Murray, Mac J, maybe Rodgers), QBs who would be de facto backups (Mariota, Trubisky), and then QBs who would give us the true competition we're looking for. I tend to think Geno (and maybe Cousins) are options who would provide a competition that could go either way.

I think I would rather see us bring in another young bust that will likely have potential upside,  but make them understand that they are going to sit and learn the O, before they get any chance to compete for the starting role.  Gives JJ at least half a season to make it his IMO.

My goal in 2026 isnt to see how far we can go in the playoffs,  its to settle the JJM matter,  if he cant stay healthy ( physically or mentally) then we need to have somebody in the wings that might fill that role in 27.   I would consider any QB that is under 30 and could be available for no more than a day 3 pick or is a free agent.  I dont think we are a SB contender right now,  but I would like to think that with the right additions and moves this year that 27 could be the target.

JimmyinSD wrote:

I think I would rather see us bring in another young bust that will likely have potential upside,  but make them understand that they are going to sit and learn the O, before they get any chance to compete for the starting role.  Gives JJ at least half a season to make it his IMO.

My goal in 2026 isnt to see how far we can go in the playoffs,  its to settle the JJM matter,  if he cant stay healthy ( physically or mentally) then we need to have somebody in the wings that might fill that role in 27.   I would consider any QB that is under 30 and could be available for no more than a day 3 pick or is a free agent.  I dont think we are a SB contender right now,  but I would like to think that with the right additions and moves this year that 27 could be the target.

I disagree that the Vikings would not be Super Bowl contenders next season with the right QB. We've all seen what getting the QB right can do for a 4-13 team like the Patriots, while the Seahawks went from mid to champions. I think the Vikings are every bit as good as those teams if they get the QB right. 

Interesting comments from Albert Breer: 

"Kyler's got $36.8 million guaranteed this year, and then another $19.5 million guaranteed next year. So, that complicates trading for him, that complicates cutting him.

So, I think you see the way that that splits up, and I think it probably makes it more likely that Arizona just flat out has to move off of him and cut him and let him go to the market.

I think he will find a place that'll view him as that sort of reclamation project. Maybe it's Minnesota. Maybe it's the Jets. We'll see.

But I think the contract situation makes it a little harder for the Cardinals to hang onto him, and a little harder for the Cardinals to trade him, which makes it more likely that they'll cut him."

[quote="MaroonBells" pid="269209" dateline="1771343339"]

I disagree that the Vikings would not be Super Bowl contenders next season with the right QB. We've all seen what getting the QB right can do for a 4-13 team like the Patriots, while the Seahawks went from mid to champions. I think the Vikings are every bit as good as those teams if they get the QB right. 

Interesting comments from Albert Breer: 

[i][b]"Kyler's got $36.8 million guaranteed this year, and then another $19.5 million guaranteed next year. So, that complicates trading for him, [and] that complicates cutting him.
[/b][/i]

[i][b]So, I think you see the way that that splits up, and I think it probably makes it more likely that Arizona just flat out has to move off of him and cut him and let him go to the market.[/b][/i]

[i][b]I think he will find a place that'll view him as that sort of reclamation project. Maybe it's Minnesota. Maybe it's the Jets. We'll see.[/b][/i]

[i][b]But I think the contract situation makes it a little harder for the Cardinals to hang onto him, and a little harder for the Cardinals to trade him, which makes it more likely that they'll cut him."[/b][/i]
[/quote]

One way or the other, we should know in not too long:

'This situation could escalate quickly because the Cardinals only have until March 16 before $19.5 million of Murray's 2027 contract' becomes guaranteed.

Not sure Willis is an option for us. Am I just missing something here? He's a free agent that can choose his next team. Why would he go to Minnesota to compete when there are likely going to be a few teams who can offer him a starting job? 

But I do tend to agree with the tone of the Murray section. Like why is there even a debate? There's a former #1 overall pick who's proven he can play in the NFL. He's not perfect, but this is not Bryce Young or even Trevor Lawrence. This is a 2X Pro Bowler with good numbers and tools for days, and also a pretty good case to be made that his surround was at least partially responsible for him not living up to his #1 overall status.  It seems a little odd that this isn't the obvious 1st choice for us. Who knows, maybe it is. 

________________

https://vikingsterritory.com/2026/news/top_news/vikings-qb-options-mac-willis-murray

The Minnesota Vikings have made it clear that another quarterback is on the way this offseason; it’s just a matter of when. This analysis, after careful deliberation, weighs the best three options.

Mac Jones, Malik Willis, and Kyler Murray headline Minnesota’s realistic QB paths, ranked by price, upside, and fit.

For starters, VikingsTerritory does not endorse Minnesota signing a retread quarterback like Kirk Cousins or Derek Carr to perhaps squeeze a little bit of the golden years from their respective arms. The Vikings have tried that method for over 30 years, and it never amounts to a Super Bowl appearance.

We’re also intrigued by trades for “upside” guys like Anthony Richardson and Will Levis, but those two, in particular, have similar flaws to J.J. McCarthy: inconsistent or bad performance + rocky injury history.

Moreover, trading for Joe Burrow, Lamar Jackson, or Justin Herbert just isn’t realistic. If any of those men are traded, that’s probably a 2027 offseason talking point. So, weighing head coach Kevin O’Connell’s presumptive mission statement to win now — meaning he may not have time or enough clout to see if McCarthy will sink or swim by himself — three clear options emerge if Minnesota wishes to have the best of both worlds: keeping McCarthy in-house while having another quarterback who could fill the long-term QB1 goal if needed.

A final disclaimer: if the decision were up to us, we’d ride with McCarthy in 2026, adding a high-end backup like Marcus Mariota or Drew Lock (via trade), and then if McCarthy flames out, draft a quarterback in the deep 2027 class. However, O’Connell likely doesn’t have that runway at his fingertips. He may have to reach the postseason and win a playoff game to maintain his employment.

That said, these are the top three quarterbacks for the Vikings to target in the 2026 offseason, ranked in ascending order (No. 1 = best option).

3. Mac Jones
Expensive Trade with SF

Let’s get this out of the way: if Jones were a free agent, and O’Connell could sign him for $20 million to $25 million per year, he’d live at No. 1 on this list. Full stop. He’s probably the next guy in line to continue the Sam Darnold and Baker Mayfield reclamation epic tale.

But the San Francisco 49ers are playing hardball with his availability. They seem to be posturing for a 1st – or 2nd-Round pick via trade if a quarterback-needy team wants his services. Put plainly, the Vikings cannot afford that after four years’ worth of Kwesi Adofo-Mensah’s dismal drafting habits. Minnesota must keep its high-round picks, hell or high water.

If Jones were guaranteed to be the Vikings’ long-term solution at quarterback, the price tag would be worthwhile. But he played like garbage as recently as 2024. His arm strength is also suspect — some even say unbecoming of his 1st-Round draft stock in 2021.

Regardless, Jones put together eight Darnoldian games in San Francisco when Brock Purdy got hurt last season. He would probably work just fine in O’Connell’s system. It’s just not worth a 1st-or 2nd-Rounder when the next two guys are semi-gettable.

2. Malik Willis
Free Agency

Of 58 quarterbacks in 2025 with 55 dropbacks or more, Willis was the NFL’s best quarterback per EPA+CPOE — and the race wasn’t close. By leaps and bounds, he outclassed everyone. The problem? His 58 dropbacks are a small sample, and no one is too sure if his production is sustainable.

Yet, in a league where Darnold and Mayfield scripted back-to-back redemption narratives, it’s not outrageous to believe Willis will be next. He ranks No. 2 on this list because of his free agency — the Vikings or any team won’t have to trade draft capital to get him.

There are also concerns about his ability to rear back and throw 400 times in a season. Can he do it? Maybe. As a rule of thumb, O’Connell needs a quarterback who can throw primarily and then take off with his legs secondarily. It’s unclear whether Willis has the “passing volume” gene.

The alluring part? No matter where he lands, he’s perhaps the only free-agent quarterback with untapped upside to become a team’s QB1 for the foreseeable future. It’s one thing to sign Jimmy Garoppolo, knowing his days are numbered, and his job is to fill in the gaps like Carson Wentz in Minnesota last year. In Willis, his next team can unlock their QB1 for the next 7-10 years.

He deserves a contract between $20 million and $25 million per year. The Vikings must determine if his success in Green Bay can translate elsewhere, mainly in a pass-happy offense. If so, sign him up.

1. Kyler Murray
Free Agency or Modest Trade with ARI

It’s incredibly surprising that Vikings fans are so sour on Murray because he “doesn’t fit the system” in Minnesota. Murray had 4.38 speed not long ago, can throw the ball 65-70 yards, and his completion percentage through seven seasons is the fifth-best in NFL history. Like Willis, some don’t think he fits the Vikings’ offense like a glove.

Who cares?

He has every physical tool — besides ideal quarterback height — to succeed. He’s also not starting from rock bottom like Darnold or Mayfield a few years ago. In the last seven years, he has a better EPA+CPOE than Daniel Jones, Mac Jones, Trevor Lawrence, Baker Mayfield, and C.J. Stroud. Perhaps fans are leaning too heavily into the narrative that Murray enjoys video games. Again — who cares?

On the “scheme fit,” if O’Connell cannot embrace a quarterback with wide receiver speed, supreme arm strength, and precision accuracy, there is something wrong with O’Connell, not Murray. Should the Cardinals release Murray, O’Connell should sprint to his agent, sign Murray, and then change his offense. Why is O’Connell above tweaking his system? The Baltimore Ravens went from Joe Flacco to Lamar Jackson eight years ago, and Ravens fans didn’t say, “Whoa, whoa, whoa. This new guy isn’t like Flacco.”

You wouldn’t ask Steph Curry to win a dunk contest. You wouldn’t ask Kirk Cousins to run the Wildcat. Change the offense to fit Murray’s strengths. It’s not a supernatural idea.

Obviously, the Cardinals releasing Murray would make life easier; they’d be on the hook for his fat contract. A trade is trickier because Minnesota would have to fire off a draft pick — probably a 4th- or 5th-Rounder, according to current reporting — and then rework Murray’s contract. Regardless, it can be done.

Murray is a Darnold or Mayfield who needs polish, not wholesale rejuvenation.

Can you imagine if Arizona drops Murray, and the Vikings and/or fans arrive at a spot, thinking, “We can Murray for a million bucks or Tyrod Taylor for four million bucks. What should we do?” Feels like a Twilight Zone.

Landing Murray’s is O’Connell’s best shot at long-term job security if he knows McCarthy won’t pan out as planned or if he doesn’t trust McCarthy’s durability.

Murray — a 28-year-old — averages these numbers per 17 games:

—— 3,997 Passing Yards
—— 30 Total Touchdowns
—— 11 INTs
—— 67.1% Completion
—— 623 Rushing Yards

That isn’t good enough for the Vikings? A team with 38-year-old Kirk Cousins and retired Derek Carr inside its rumor mill? What on earth?

If they bring in Murray to me that says they have even lesser faith in JJM than I thought
I think Murray is damaged goods, he aint the same guy he was a year or 2 into his career anymore
I don't trust KOC to evolve an offense to fit Murrays strengths.

purplefaithful wrote:
If they bring in Murray to me that says they have even lesser faith in JJM than I thought I think Murray is damaged goods, he aint the same guy he was a year or 2 into his career anymore I don't trust KOC to evolve an offense to fit Murrays strengths.

It seems like you're suggesting he's hit age-related decline....at 28? I do agree, though, that a Murray addition would signal a new direction that might prove difficult for KOC, and perhaps even the end of the JJ experiment, which isn't just a hard pill to swallow, but seems unlikely.

For me, Murray lacks in leadership and optics with the guys. Talented for sure. I mean he was selected #1 overall in 2019. IMO, he's not damaged goods and he's 28 years old, so he's hitting his prime right now. He's not my cup of tea, but it can't be said he's not a big ol' handful when he's on his game. But there's also a reason that Arizona is probably not going to commit to him moving forward.

If Minnesota were to sign Murray, it would be as the presumptive starter. Derek Carr would also be a guy that would come in and start. Willis is going to be the crown jewel of some other team's offseason, but it won't be in Minnesota.