Free agency in the National Football League is rapidly approaching, and there are all sorts of rumors flying around concerning the Minnesota Vikings, specifically about their quarterback situation.
On the positive side, it sounds like there’s no shortage of potential signal-callers who want to come to Minnesota, according to Jeremy Fowler of ESPN.
My sense right now, from asking around, is that all the top quarterbacks that will be or could be available — Kyler Murray, Geno Smith comes to mind — [Minnesota] is the place they want to go…because of what you have with Justin Jefferson, Kevin O’Connell, a lot of pieces in place.
Well, there are some interesting names floating around, so let’s examine a couple of them, shall we?
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Kyler Murray was specifically mentioned by Fowler in the above video. The former #1 overall pick has a $19.5 million bonus that comes due on 16 March, which is the fifth day of the new league year. The Cardinals will make a decision on him before then, and while they’re reportedly looking for a trade partner for him, it seems as though the odds of anyone wanting to take him on under his current contract are slim. If he does get released, he would immediately become a very attractive potential option for the Vikings.
Fowler also mentioned Geno Smith. Yeah. He certainly did.
Moving on.
It certainly sounds like the Miami Dolphins are going to be moving on from Tua Tagovailoa this offseason, as a combination of injuries and general ineffectiveness saw him get benched for the final three games of the Dolphins season in 2025. Usually, a former top 5 overall pick might be an attractive option for the Vikings, but given Tua’s history of concussion issues and the fact that, at times, he’s just looked a whole lot worse than a guy who’s been in the league as long as he has been should look, that should be a hard pass for the Vikings.
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A name that’s surfaced recently has been former Raiders and Saints quarterback Derek Carr. Carr retired before the start of last season, and the Saints still control his rights if he decides he wants to put the pads back on. Still, now that the Saints have a quarterback they seem to believe in with Tyler Shough, they’d likely be willing to let Carr go for a fairly reasonable price. Is it something the Vikings should entertain?
We’ve already briefly touched on the idea of a Kirk Cousins reunion, and there’s also the possibility that we’ll get Aaron Rodgers rumors. . .legitimate or not. . .for however long it takes Rodgers to make a decision about coming back.
So, I’m going to open it up to the floor here. Who do you think is the best potential (realistic) option for the Vikings to bring in at quarterback this offseason?
