The Minnesota Vikings have largely moved on from the idea of signing quarterback Aaron Rodgers this offseason—though not entirely.
General manager Kwesi Adofo-Mensah addressed the media, effectively shutting down the possibility of adding Rodgers behind or alongside second-year quarterback J.J. McCarthy. While he left a slight opening should circumstances change, the message was clear: McCarthy is expected to take the reins unless something unexpected happens.
That raises the question of who will back up McCarthy as he competes for the starting role the franchise wants him to earn. Currently, Brett Rypien is the only other quarterback on the roster, but it’s unlikely Minnesota will enter the season with him as the primary backup, given McCarthy has yet to play a regular-season snap in the NFL.
Several free-agent quarterbacks remain available, with Joe Flacco emerging as a logical candidate based on current league dynamics.
Vikings Reunion With Kirk Cousins Unlikely After Offseason Developments in Atlanta
ESPN’s Kevin Seifert highlighted Joe Flacco, Carson Wentz, and a potential reunion with Kirk Cousins as possible backup quarterback options for Minnesota in a March 19 report. Additionally, the Vikings have been in contact with Ryan Tannehill, who sat out last season after failing to secure a starting role.
While each quarterback could be a fit in theory, significant obstacles remain. Cousins, for example, is still under contract with the Atlanta Falcons, who recently opted to retain him by paying a $10 million bonus rather than releasing him into free agency.
Unless Atlanta changes its stance, Minnesota would need to trade for Cousins, which would require giving up a player and/or draft assets. On top of that, the Vikings would have to absorb up to $27.5 million in salary cap costs for 2025, depending on the terms of the deal. Given that financial burden, a Cousins reunion appears highly unlikely.
Carson Wentz Linked to Browns After Russell Wilson Signs With Giants
Then there’s Carson Wentz, who spent last season backing up Patrick Mahomes with the Kansas City Chiefs.
At 32 years old, Wentz is still seeking a starting opportunity, and he may have one in Cleveland. According to Cleveland.com’s Mary Kay Cabot, there is mutual interest between Wentz and the Browns on a one-year deal—an agreement that depended on Russell Wilson signing elsewhere, which he did by joining the New York Giants earlier this week.
That leaves Ryan Tannehill, who had a respectable 11-year run as a starter. However, history shows that quarterbacks who sit out an entire season—aside from injury-related absences—rarely return to high-level success, especially at such a demanding position.
Tannehill, who turns 37 just before Week 1, faces an uphill battle to regain his form. The Tennessee Titans benched him midway through the 2023 season after an ankle injury, opting instead to start Will Levis.
Joe Flacco Fits Vikings’ Needs Behind J.J. McCarthy
Joe Flacco may be three years older than Ryan Tannehill, but he has played more recently and with greater success.
In 2023, Flacco led the Cleveland Browns to a 4-1 record down the stretch, helping secure a playoff berth. He then joined the Indianapolis Colts in 2024, making eight appearances and starting six games. Remarkably, he overtook second-year quarterback Anthony Richardson—who was the No. 4 overall pick in 2023—based purely on performance, not injury.
Although the Colts eventually turned back to Richardson, Flacco has proven over the past two seasons that he still has the arm talent to be effective when needed. His experience and leadership could make him an ideal mentor and insurance policy for J.J. McCarthy in Minnesota.
Financially, Flacco would also be a cost-effective option. Having earned over $180 million in his career, he may be willing to sign for a reasonable price. Spotrac projects his market value at $3.2 million for a one-year deal, making him a practical choice for the Vikings.