The Minnesota Vikings have largely abandoned the idea of adding quarterback Aaron Rodgers to their roster this offseason.
On Wednesday, March 26, general manager Kwesi Adofo-Mensah met with the media and all but ruled out adding Rodgers behind or next to second-year signal caller J.J. McCarthy. While Adofo-Mensah left a crack in the door through which Rodgers may theoretically slip somewhere down the line, providing he doesn’t sign elsewhere before then, Minnesota’s message was clear: McCarthy is going to be the man, save for some unforeseen event.
That left Vikings supporters wondering who would play second fiddle to McCarthy this summer as he attempts to officially win a job that the franchise wants him to have but will require him to earn through competition. Brett Rypien is the only other name currently in the quarterback room, and Minnesota is unlikely to risk starting the season with Rypien as the No. 2 behind McCarthy, who has yet to play a regular-season snap in the NFL.
A number of names that make sense are still available in free agency, but Joe Flacco has emerged as one of the frontrunners, and possibly the most sensible decision, based on other QB situations across the league.
Vikings Reunion With Kirk Cousins Unlikely After Offseason Developments in Atlanta
In a March 19 report, ESPN’s Kevin Seifert mentioned Flacco, Carson Wentz, and a reunion with Kirk Cousins as potential Minnesota quarterback prospects. Meanwhile, the Vikings have met with Ryan Tannehill, who missed all of last season in search of a starting job.
In isolation, each player makes sense for Minnesota, but bringing in any of the other three presents significant issues. Cousins, for example, is still under contract with the Atlanta Falcons, who elected to keep him on the roster for a $10 million incentive earlier this month rather than cut him loose and let him wander the free-agency market.
Carson Wentz Linked to Browns After Russell Wilson Signs With Giants
If the Falcons maintain their current position, the Vikings will only be able to acquire Cousins through trades. That would cost a player and/or a draft asset, and Minnesota would be responsible for up to $27.5 million in salary cap charges (Cousins’ base salary in 2025), depending on the agreement reached with Atlanta. Cousins is unlikely to receive such a high salary in Minneapolis.
Wentz, who backed up Patrick Mahomes with the Kansas City Chiefs last season, is 32 years old and looking for a chance to start somewhere in the league. According to Mary Kay Cabot of Cleveland.com, Wentz and the Cleveland Browns are interested in a one-year deal that would provide him with the starting opportunity he seeks. However, this agreement was contingent on Russell Wilson’s departure earlier this year.
That leaves Tannehill, who was credible over his 11 seasons as a starter. However, there isn’t a long history of players missing a complete season for reasons other than injury and then returning to NFL success, particularly at center, the game’s most difficult and vital position.
Tannehill will be 37 about one month before Week 1, making a return to his previous form even less likely. Following an ankle injury, the Tennessee Titans benched Tannehill and replaced him with Will Levis in the middle of the 2023 season.
Joe Flacco Fits Vikings’ Needs Behind J.J. McCarthy
Flacco is three years older than Tannehill, but he has played recently and with higher success.
Flacco led the Browns to a 4-1 record down the stretch in 2023, propelling the team into the playoffs. He then joined the Indianapolis Colts in 2024 and started six games (eight total appearances), dethroning second-year quarterback and former No. 4 overall pick Anthony Richardson as the starter based solely on performance, rather than injury.
Indy eventually went back to Richardson, but Flacco has proven over the last two seasons that he still has the arm to get the job done when needed. His temperament and experience could serve as the ideal mentor/insurance policy for McCarthy in Minnesota.
Beyond that, Flacco has earned over $180 million in his career, so the Vikings can certainly obtain him at a reasonable price. Spotrac estimates Flacco’s market value at $3.2 million for a new one-year contract.
Leave a Reply