Would Vikings consider new QB before Week 1?

When the Minnesota Vikings moved on from Kirk Cousins, they ultimately decided to redefine the quarterback position. That ultimately resulted in Sam Darnold being signed as a veteran free agent and JJ McCarthy being selected as a first-round pick. It remains to be seen who will join them, but it may not be someone from the current roster.

Would Vikings consider new QB before Week 1?

Last season, the Minnesota Vikings had to sit through a lackluster quarterback carousel after Kirk Cousins’ season-ending Achilles injury. Between Josh Dobbs, Nick Mullens and Jaren Hall, none of them were good enough to be consistently reliable. Dobbs is gone, and as long as the other two remain, it might not be wise to play them where they could be in the game.

Hall is already an older prospect, and he was too busy taking on a role he wasn’t prepared for. The Vikings could keep him on the practice squad this season, but it would be hard to imagine a scenario in which playing Hall would be a positive outcome.

On the other hand, Mullens has started plenty of games at the NFL level. He had a few points last year for the Vikings, but his relative lack of concern for the football leaves him vulnerable. If Darnold were to get hurt and Mullens was protecting McCarthy, there might not be much to suggest a better outcome than simply letting the rookie play.

It seems Minnesota’s plan is to give Darnold a chance to work. They could have lightning in a bottle, and he could have something like a Baker Mayfield-esque 2023 season. If McCarthy is being developed behind the scenes, then hiring a more experienced veteran free agent to act as Darnold’s insurance makes sense.

Ryan Tannehill is the most sought-after name on the open market, and the only other real option could be Trevor Siemian. Sure, both would rather be employed than left on the sidelines, but they’re both likely looking for preseason opportunities, and that’s when Minnesota would come knocking as well.

If Hall is sent to the practice squad, Mullens will have to be traded or cut. The Vikings won’t have three quarterbacks and may not want to have more than two. Allowing McCarthy to not have to worry about coming into a game unexpectedly while having someone like Tannehill as Darnold’s backup could help give the rookie a better outlook.

Minnesota still has money to spend, and what it does with it (if anything) is something to watch.

Ted Schwerzler is a Twin Cities blogger who focuses on all things Minnesota Twins and Minnesota Vikings. He is active on Twitter and writes every week for Twins in everyday lifeAs a former college athlete and sports enthusiast, covering our professional teams with passion has always felt like a natural way for me to express myself.