In the last offseason, the Indianapolis Colts had a problem: their highly drafted quarterback, Anthony Richardson, had injury issues and […]
In the last offseason, the Indianapolis Colts had a problem: their highly drafted quarterback, Anthony Richardson, had injury issues and accuracy struggles in his first two seasons in the NFL. They needed an insurance policy; someone who would compete with him or, at least, be a backup in case the issues persisted.
1 QB Is Gaining Steam as J.J. McCarthy’s Competition in 2026
Indianapolis was one of the suitors of Vikings free agent Daniel Jones, and he was intrigued by the option to compete with Richardson because he saw a clear path to winning the job. Through the first 11 weeks of the season, the Colts are heavily favored to win their division while Jones is an MVP candidate.
But wait a second. A once highly drafted signal-caller who can’t stay healthy or consistently hit an open receiver? Doesn’t that sound familiar? The Vikings are in a comparable situation. Unless J.J. McCarthy shows massive growth in the final seven games of the season, the Vikings need to find their own Daniel Jones.
They need someone who could either beat him out for the QB1 job or they add a high-end backup, who could step in if there’s no significant improvement. Technically, Daniel Jones will be a free agent after the season, but he’d be foolish to leave a franchise in which his skill set is ideally used. Furthermore, the Colts would be just as foolish to let him walk and could use the franchise tag if they can’t find common ground.
Pro Football Talk’s Mike Florio envisions a different Jones to become a Viking, though.
“Earlier this year, the Vikings said farewell to Sam Darnold 1.0,” Florio wrote. “Next year, they could be saying hello to Sam Darnold 2.0. There’s already chatter in some circles that, in the 2026 offseason, the Vikings will explore trading for 49ers quarterback Mac Jones.”
Jones, just like Darnold last year, would be coming over from the San Francisco 49ers. He’s an obvious candidate to join the list of Geno Smith, Baker Mayfield, Sam Darnold, and Daniel Jones as a successful QB reclamation project.
Brock Purdy’s toe injury has cost him all but three games. Former Patriots first-rounder Mac Jones stepped in and guided the squad to a 5-3 record with 13 passing touchdowns and six interceptions. Just last year, he showed some flashes after replacing Trevor Lawrence in Jacksonville, and the 49ers thought it might be a good idea to add Jones in free agency. He signed a two-year deal in March. And this year, he has proven that he deserves the chance to be one of the 32 starting QBs in the NFL.
“For the Vikings, it could make sense to bring in a veteran who would compete with J.J. McCarthy. The top-10 pick in 2024 hasn’t done enough to have the presumed starter role next season. A true competition could force the issue, getting McCarthy to make the improvements that the Vikings want to see, or else,” Florio added.
Florio noted that Jones’ contract, with one year remaining and a bargain backup salary, is a real asset. The Vikings wouldn’t get him for free. Some draft capital — perhaps even a day-two draft pick — might be necessary.
He then listed some other options for the Vikings:
“There won’t be a ton of great options in free agency. There’s no Darnold this year. Daniel Jones most likely won’t be available, even though he signed a one-year deal with the Colts, who would be wise to sign him to a long-term deal weeks before the annual illegal tampering starts. (The franchise tag remains available, obviously.) Who else is there? Russell Wilson, Aaron Rodgers (who turns 42 on December 3), Jimmy Garoppolo, Tyrod Taylor, Trey Lance, Marcus Mariota, Joe Flacco, and Gardner Minshew headline a weak (relative to recent years) class of veterans with starting experience. Kyler Murray also will be available, possibly via trade. (It’s also possible he’ll be released.)”
Wilson was let go by the Steelers, benched by the Giants, and cut by the Broncos all within the last few years. Rodgers can still play a little, but he’s running an almost comical short-passing offense in Pittsburgh that is the polar opposite of what Kevin O’Connell wants to do. He has also hinted that retirement could be on the horizon. Garoppolo, Taylor, Lance, and Mariota aren’t potential starters in 2026. It could be argued that Carson Wentz would be the better option.
That leaves Joe Flacco. His play this season has not translated to winning games, but his play in Cincinnati after escaping Cleveland has been impressive, with 12 touchdowns and three interceptions. He will turn 41 in January.
Kyler Murray could be a fascinating player, but the Vikings can’t make a move for the former first-overall pick unless they are done with McCarthy. He’s simply too flashy and talented, though he hasn’t played an entire season at a high level.
Mac Jones could make sense. The best outcome would be for McCarthy to take a step or two forward in the next seven games, showing that he’s a franchise quarterback.
Expect the Vikings to be part of every possible quarterback theory imaginable in the upcoming offseason.
Editor’s Note: Information from PFF, Over The Cap, and Sports Reference helped with this article.
