Conflicting insider reports swirl around the Vikings' quarterback future, with Kyler Murray, Geno Smith, and even a surprising J.J. McCarthy scenario debated.
We thought we knew everything there was to know about what direction the Minnesota Vikings were going at quarterback. After reading insider reports across the league at the NFL combine, the Vikings' plans could be less certain.
Insiders are torn, first of all, on what quarterback the Vikings plan to target. Jeremy Fowler of ESPN posted the following to the social media platform, X.
"Kyler Murray and Geno Smith are strong considerations for Vikings at QB, with Tua Tagovailoa and Kirk Cousins on the radar as well.
That and much much in our Scouting Combine notebook."
Fantasy football expert Matthew Berry says he heard differently at the NFL combine. He shared the rumors he has heard at the combine, prefacing with the fact that they were rumors, not reports.
"I heard that Kyler Murray, not on Minnesota's radar, really, wouldn't be surprised to see him and the Jets. That's one I keep hearing recently, Kyler Murray to the Jets. As for Minnesota, I've heard a bunch of different things. I've heard some people say, like, they're kinda interested in seeing about Geno if he gets released. I heard maybe a reunion with Kirk Cousins. One name that I've heard that they're not super interested in, and that's J.J. McCarthy."
Berry's McCarthy note coincides with Tony Pauline's contention that the Vikings are looking to move on from McCarthy, though others believe McCarthy is not an open and shut case.
ESPN's Kevin Seifert seemed to counter that notion, posting the following on social media.
"Our NFL Insiders identify Kyler Murray and Geno Smith as the top (likely) available QBs who would signal competition for J.J. McCarthy but not necessarily displace him in 2026. As we’ve been saying, it’s a very tough needle to thread. Flacco, Tua, Rodgers also fit profile."
So, the Vikings are or are not moving on from McCarthy, and is Kyler Murray an option or not from the team?
What's important to note is the difference between rumors and sourced reporting. And while some are sharing common sense takes based on what they hear, it's reasonable to conclude that many if not all options are on the table.
McCarthy probably is not going to be traded unless the Vikings think they can get value for him. Then again, he probably is not going to be the starting quarterback for Minnesota either. And the end result of a quarterback competition with a player like the Vikings are hoping to add, like Murray, Cousins or Mac Jones, is probably going to yield that McCarthy is a backup in 2026.
There are conflicting reports on the quarterback search. We'll see what happens when we get actual movement in the search.