Mac Jones emerges as a top contender for the Vikings' QB job, potentially overshadowing other veteran options like Kyler Murray.
The Minnesota Vikings, it appears, will add a quarterback for the 2026 football season. And while there is no consensus on whether that quarterback will be a veteran backup or proven starter option, it seems likely that a move will be made.
Garrett Burroughs of Vikings Wire is discussing the potential decisions ahead for Minnesota. He wrote the following of the Vikings quarterback situation.
"While the idea of bringing in competition for J.J. McCarthy makes perfect sense, there appears to be one real choice out of those four: Mac Jones. San Francisco has made it known they do not intend to trade away Jones, but anyone is available for the right price.
Kyler Murray has a massive contract and struggles to stay healthy. Geno Smith was a massive part of the Las Vegas Raiders getting the first overall pick in this year's draft. Kirk Cousins' reunion with Minnesota is likely not wanted by fans. If these are truly the four names being floated in the front office, we can only hope Jones comes out on top."
Arizona Cardinals quarterback Kyler Murray (right) arrives on the field for the Los Angeles Rams game. Rob Schumacher/The Republic-USA TODAY NETWORK via Imagn ImagesWe're not quite to, "any quarterback addition is a good quarterback addition," territory in Minnesota, but we're not far off from it. The Vikings would like a difference maker, but given how poor the team was at the quarterback position, it may not take much for the team to see a difference.
Quarterbacks like Kyler Murray may carry some risk, but the former No. 1 quarterback does pose the upside the Vikings were hoping to get from current starting quarterback J.J. McCarthy. The Arizona Cardinals signal caller has had some issues with injury, but has also been surrounded by some uncertainty within his franchise.
The Cardinals' instability and the Vikings stability make the trade of Murray to Minnesota a potentially career altering one for Murray.
The other quarterbacks that are being mentioned may not have the upside of Murray save for former national title winning signal caller Mac Jones. Jones shined in relief of Brock Purdy with the San Francisco 49ers this season and could bring the jolt the Vikings need at the quarterback position.
Despite whatever questions teams have about the quarterbacks available to Minnesota, it's easy to find something to get excited about even if the move is to add someone like Geno Smith or Kirk Cousins.
We'll keep an eye on the moves that the Vikings consider as they push for a playoff bid in 2026.