Reports about Aaron Rodgers potentially joining the Minnesota Vikings remain inconsistent, leaving uncertainty around who the team might turn to if Rodgers doesn’t team up with J.J. McCarthy as their quarterback this season. As free agency heads into its second week, the pool of viable backup quarterbacks for a Super Bowl-caliber team is shrinking, making this a key concern for Minnesota.
One potential option is Jameis Winston, who made history in 2019 by becoming the only quarterback in NFL history to throw for over 30 touchdowns and 30 interceptions in a single season. He led the league that year in pass attempts (626), passing yards (5,109), and interceptions (30), finishing with 33 touchdown passes. Winston was traded to the New Orleans Saints the following offseason after the Tampa Bay Buccaneers replaced him with Tom Brady, eventually winning the Super Bowl that year.
Winston is known for being reckless with the ball but also possesses a strong arm that would make him a dangerous deep-ball threat with Minnesota’s talented offensive roster. Despite his big-name status, Sports Illustrated’s Will Ragatz listed Winston as one of the top remaining options for the Vikings. Ragatz pointed out that Winston may not be an ideal fit for Minnesota due to his playing style and off-field issues, including multiple allegations of sexual misconduct, the most recent of which was settled in 2016.
The Vikings have proven they can win with a big-armed, turnover-prone quarterback like Winston. Last season, Nick Mullens served as a backup for Sam Darnold and, although the team went 0-3 with Mullens as the starter, they played close games, including a narrow overtime loss to the Cincinnati Bengals and a tight defeat to the NFC North champion Detroit Lions. Mullens threw for 1,306 yards, 7 touchdowns, and 8 interceptions in five games. Winston, in a similar role with the Cleveland Browns in 2024, also posted solid performances, including over 2,100 passing yards, 13 touchdowns, and 12 interceptions.
While Winston may not be ideal for starting in the playoffs, he could serve as a useful short-term solution if McCarthy faces injury. Winston could potentially help the team win games they might otherwise lose, while his positive attitude and leadership could support McCarthy’s development, much as Winston supported Deshaun Watson during his time as a backup. This dynamic may influence Minnesota’s decision.
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