Most NFL analysts agree that the Minnesota Vikings have all the makings of a playoff team, they just need some stability at the quarterback position.
At 3-4, the Vikings sit in last place in the NFC North, but they’re just 2.5 games behind the first-place Green Bay Packers, and a small winning streak could put them right back in the thick of the playoff hunt.
The good news is Minnesota is about to get back passer J.J. McCarthy, the team’s Week 1 starter who’s been sidelined ever since Week 2 with a right ankle sprain.
The bad news is his backup and the players the team’s season would hinge on should anything else happen to McCarthy, Carson Wentz, is having season-ending shoulder surgery and the only other QB on the roster is undrafted rookie Max Brosmer.
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While all signs point to McCarthy finally being 100% healthy, him playing behind a banged up offensive line ranked 19th in the league, according to Pro Football Focus, that’s down two of its Week 1 starters (center Ryan Kelly and right tackle Brian O’Neill) and has allowed 94 pressures, 62 hurries, 28 sacks and 13 QB hits through seven games, per PFF, could be cause for concern.
And that’s why ESPN’s Adam Schefter believes the team will make a deal for an experienced backup before the Nov. 4 NFL trade deadline.
“At some point in time the Minnesota Vikings are going to have to add a veteran quarterback,” Schefter recently stated on the “Adam Schefter Podcast.” “I don’t think it’s a high-profile move, but look, when they traded Sam Howell before the season, they had Carson Wentz waiting in the wings.
“Carson Wentz had season-ending shoulder surgery. The two quarterbacks on their roster are J.J. McCarthy and Max Brosmer — two young quarterbacks. The Vikings have to add a veteran quarterback at some point in time.”
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The Vikings began the year with former Washington Commanders starter Sam Howell as the No. 2 QB behind McCarthy. However, they traded the 25-year-old signal-caller to the Philadelphia Eagles for fifth- and seventh-round picks.
With Wentz now shelved for the season, the top QBs expected to be available on the trade market include Russell Wilson and Jameis Winston of the New York Giants, Anthony Richardson of the Indianapolis Colts, and Kirk Cousins of the Atlanta Falcons.
If Minnesota went the free-agent route, the options are even more limited with Ryan Tannehill and C.J. Beathard the best of a meager group.
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