The Minnesota Vikings appear set to move forward with J.J. McCarthy as their starting quarterback in 2025, giving the former first-round pick a chance to prove himself. However, the team has been linked to several veteran quarterbacks this offseason, and new reports provide insight into their likely approach.
Initially, Minnesota attempted to re-sign Sam Darnold, but he opted to join the Seattle Seahawks as their undisputed starter. After missing out on Darnold, the Vikings engaged in a bidding war for Daniel Jones but ultimately lost to the Indianapolis Colts.
Following these setbacks, rumors surfaced that Minnesota considered signing Aaron Rodgers. However, internal disagreements over having McCarthy compete with the future Hall of Famer led the team to step away from pursuing the four-time MVP.
While there are still experienced backup quarterbacks available in free agency, the Vikings are deliberately delaying their decision to sign one. According to Charles Robinson of Yahoo Sports on the Inside Coverage podcast, Minnesota is waiting until after the 2025 NFL Draft to avoid impacting its compensatory draft pick situation.
By holding off on signing a quarterback, the Vikings can preserve their expected compensatory picks—a third-rounder and a fifth-rounder in the 2026 NFL Draft. Adding a veteran like Rodgers, Joe Flacco, or Carson Wentz before the draft could jeopardize those picks.
As a result, Minnesota is expected to wait until at least the Monday after the draft to make a move. Robinson identified Wentz as a potential fit due to his previous experience in Kevin O’Connell’s system with the Los Angeles Rams in 2023. Unlike Flacco, Wentz may also be more open to accepting a backup role.