Reports from scouting combine only create more confusion about Vikings' quarterback plan
The Vikings have been linked to numerous QBs, and speculation on J.J. McCarthy is that he's either still very much in the team's plans or about to be traded. On a whirlwind of information from Indy.
The spigot of information that flows from the NFL Scouting Combine each year has been turned off — but not before providing a dizzying amount of speculation as to what the Vikings plan to do at the quarterback position in 2026.
Here’s some of what was gleaned from reading reports in Indianapolis:
The Vikings are prioritizing Kyler Murray and Geno Smith but also have Tua Tagovailoa and Kirk Cousins on their radar. All, of course, would have to be released by their current teams.
The Vikings are looking to trade 2024 first-round pick J.J. McCarthy, who has started 10 games in his first two seasons.
The Vikings want McCarthy back and would like Murray to compete with McCarthy in training camp.
The Vikings are interested in Derek Carr, who retired after the 2024 season but now wants to return and play for a winner.
There is mutual interest between the Vikings and soon-to-be former Indianapolis Colts QB Anthony Richardson, the fourth pick in the 2023 NFL draft.
Aaron Rodgers, who wanted to play for the Vikings last season before signing with Pittsburgh, could be the guy.
The Carolina Panthers are open to trading 15-year veteran Andy Dalton and the Vikings might be a fit.
Carson Wentz, who replaced the injured McCarthy and started five games last season before suffering a season-ending shoulder injury, is expected to re-sign with the Vikings at some point this year, but the expectation is another veteran will be added to the roster as well.
Got all that?
Me neither.
That’s likely exactly what the Vikings want — NFL teams love their subterfuge — as they prepare to address the quarterback situation in the coming weeks. The NFL’s new league year opens on March 11, and it will be at that point that things begin to crystalize as to what the quarterback depth chart will look like next season.
None of these names move the needle in a significant way. The majority of them would be stopgaps and indicate that McCarthy likely either would be in a backup role or potentially get a chance to start. That’s assuming he remains in Minnesota, and it would make little sense to trade him given his value would be so low.
The above list includes nine quarterbacks. Only Murray, Cousins and Rodgers likely would be considered the immediate starter. Smith, Carr and Tagovailoa would be in the next bin of guys who would get the opportunity to provide immediate competition. Richardson remains a project, and the 38-year-old Dalton has become a break glass in case of emergency option.