JJ McCarthy starts in 2026. But a veteran backup is crucial. Experts debate realistic paths, potential chaos, and cap realities.
On this episode of Purple Insider, Matthew Coller is joined by former Vikings lineman Jeremiah Sirles for a wide-ranging, end-of-season quarterback conversation that’s equal parts realistic planning and “what if?” chaos. With Week 18 approaching, they use the final week as a launching point to talk about Minnesota’s most important offseason question: what the Vikings should do at quarterback in 2026 and what kind of insurance they need if they’re betting on JJ McCarthy. (2:43)
Week 18 isn’t about excitement, it’s about getting out healthy
They open with a blunt take on the final game: neither Coller nor Sirles is overly intrigued by Week 18 football for teams in this situation. The priority, in their view, is avoiding meaningless injuries and getting to the offseason with as few new problems as possible, not squeezing out “lessons” from one more game. (0:46)
The main stance: stick with JJ McCarthy, but upgrade the backup spot
Sirles’ core position is straightforward — roll with McCarthy as the starter in 2026. But he immediately pairs that with a strong warning: because of McCarthy’s injury history and durability questions, the Vikings can’t treat backup QB like an afterthought. Sirles argues Minnesota needs a higher-level veteran No. 2 who can actually run the offense if forced into action. (3:31–3:50)
The backup names they like: Brissett and Tyrod
From there, they get specific. The discussion leans toward experienced veterans who can keep the offense functional without creating a constant QB controversy. Jacoby Brissett and Tyrod Taylor are brought up as ideal types — steady, capable, respected in the room, and not walking in demanding the job. (4:24, 5:30, 6:16)
Coller’s worry: the jump has to happen fast
Coller’s angle is more anxious: he’s not totally comfortable assuming McCarthy is ready to make a major leap, especially with elite weapons like Justin Jefferson and Jordan Addison needing stable quarterback play. The underlying tension is obvious — Minnesota’s margin for error gets thinner when you have top-tier talent in win-now primes. (6:32–7:04)
Sirles plays GM: cap realities mean you bet on McCarthy, with insurance
Sirles steps into the “GM hat” and argues that cap space and roster construction limit the Vikings’ options. In that world, you’re essentially forced to bet on McCarthy’s development — but the smart move is protecting that bet with a credible backup plan, because you can’t build a roster assuming perfect health and perfect QB growth. (7:36)
The “bring back Kirk Cousins” idea gets swatted immediately
Coller tosses out a playful Cousins reunion concept, and Sirles wants absolutely no part of it. He points to how the breakup happened, Cousins’ age, and mobility limitations as reasons it’s not a serious path forward. (9:07–11:56)
Geno Smith as a bar-setter, but with big concerns
Coller then floats Geno Smith as an option who would raise the standard, noting his arm talent and recent success, and framing him as someone who would force McCarthy to truly earn it. Sirles pushes back on the practicality, flagging potential cap hit and questioning whether Geno is the right “mentor” type if the goal is development and stability. (13:20–16:48)
The wild part: blockbuster trades for elite quarterbacks
The episode also goes full hypothetical with bold trade scenarios — Lamar Jackson, Joe Burrow — and they acknowledge what it would realistically cost: likely a star player plus multiple premium picks. It’s less “this will happen” and more a way to explore the extremes of what teams do when they decide they need a top-five quarterback to chase a Super Bowl. (18:00–20:17)
Daniel Jones vs Kyler Murray: they split on ceiling vs leadership
If forced into an external starter, Sirles leans Daniel Jones for leadership traits even with injury baggage, while Coller leans Kyler Murray for the higher ceiling and proven flashes as a difference-maker. It’s a clean debate: floor and leadership vs ceiling and talent. (21:45–23:30)
Trading McCarthy? They don’t love the value
They also kick around the idea of trading McCarthy (the example being a second-round pick) and pivoting to another option, but Sirles questions whether McCarthy would even fetch that kind of return given limited starts and uncertainty. (26:29–27:29)
Fun finish: “Love to See It/Hate to See It”
They wrap with their “Love to See It/Hate to See It” segment, hitting topics like the intrigue of a big Week 18 matchup, reflections on Philip Rivers’ career, and some frustration with college football scheduling and the transfer portal landscape. (31:59–34:16)
Listen to the full episode
If you want a Vikings QB conversation that feels both practical and entertaining, this one hits. Coller and Sirles keep circling the same core truth: the Vikings can ride with McCarthy in 2026, but only if they treat the backup plan like a real roster priority, not an afterthought.