The Minnesota Vikings have run into an issue at their quarterback position. Will they look to add a veteran ahead of next week’s trade deadline? And could they look to someone like Russell Wilson to help fill their void?
Vikings Now In Desperate Need Of Veteran QB
The Vikings made an interesting decision during the offseason. After he led them to a 14-3 record and became one of the biggest surprises in the NFL, Sam Darnold was allowed to leave Minnesota via free agency. The Vikings instead chose to go with JJ McCarthy as their signal caller, who was in line to start in 2024 before suffering an injury that caused him his entire rookie season.
#Vikings QB Carson Wentz will undergo surgery on his left shoulder and miss the rest of the 2025 season, sources tell The Insiders.
Wentz gutted it out as long as he could. But he was in severe pain Thursday night in L.A. and now will get the shoulder fixed. pic.twitter.com/PCmvVuoBEL
— Tom Pelissero (@TomPelissero) October 27, 2025
The decision hasn’t exactly worked out for head coach Kevin O’Connell and his team. Darnold has helped the Seattle Seahawks get off to a 5-2 start, and he leads the league in a handful of passing categories, including yards per completion. McCarthy, on the other hand, has barely seen the field. In keeping tune with his early-career struggle to stay healthy, the 22-year-old out of Michigan has played in just two games so far in 2025, and his most recent showing included a completion percentage of 52.4%, two interceptions, and six sacks.
Veteran Carson Wentz took over for most of the time that McCarthy missed, providing the Vikings with something of a viable backup option. But after going 2-3 in his five starts and bringing Minnesota to a 3-4 record, Wentz has been ruled out for the year after requiring shoulder surgery.
Minnesota’s Two QBs Have 49 Combined NFL Pass Attempts
This revelation leaves the Vikings with two wildly inexperienced options at the most important position. McCarthy and rookie undrafted free agent Max Brosmer are the only QBs currently listed on the active roster, who have thrown a combined 49 NFL passes, all in 2025.
Even if they peg McCarthy as the starter, Minnesota is now in need of a veteran signal caller to have as an insurance policy. According to ESPN’s Adam Schefter, the team will be working the phones over the next seven days in order to try to work out a deal, or they could perhaps hit the scarce free agent market, as well.
Which backup QBs could be available as we approach the NFL trade deadline?
One team that could be active in shopping their backups is the New York Giants. After designating Jaxson Dart as their starter going forward, the team now has two backup options in Russell Wilson and Jameis Winston. Neither have proven to be starting-caliber players at this point in their careers, but they have enough history of success in the NFL on their resumes to be in consideration for the Vikings.
Maybe they could inquire about someone like Jimmy Garoppolo? Or perhaps Jake Browning could use a new change of scenery after being benched in favor of Joe Flacco.
JJ McCarthy is set to return for the Vikings for this coming Sunday’s game against the Detroit Lions. As of Tuesday, Minnesota is currently listed as an 8.5-point underdog. They are in last place in the NFC North with a 3-4 record, but an unlikely win over Detroit could shift things drastically in the division.
