QB Additions the Minnesota Vikings Could Make in 2026 Offseason

The Minnesota Vikings (9-8) are in need of a game changer in the 2026 season. That much is true given how mightily the team struggled despite its record.

On the surface, 9-8 is not a bad season nor a dramatic fall from a 14-3 season in 2024. It's not dramatic, that is, until you look at how the team got there.

At its lowest point, Minnesota fell to a 4-8 record after four consecutive losses. For a team that was effortlessly dominant a season prior that may read to others as regression to the mean. It was not that. The team simply downgraded significantly at the most important position in sports: Quarterback. Looking at potential upgrades, that's where we'll start.

How much will the addition of a quarterback improve the Vikings in 2026? That depends on the quarterback that the team adds.

We'll start with maybe the least likely quarterback addition we have heard, but the highest impact one: What if the Vikings trade for Joe Burrow?

If the Vikings add Burrow, every aspiration the team has about its 2026 season is on the table. 14 wins again, No. 1 seed, NFC championship berth and beyond, all are on the table. That's how impactful adding Burrow would be for the team.

Remember, Burrow elevated the Cincinnati Bengals from one of the NFL's least accomplished franchises in the Super Bowl era to a Super Bowl appearance. He's a Top 5, arguably Top 3 quarterback in the NFL alongside Matthew Stafford and Patrick Mahomes II when healthy.

Add to that Burrow does not need the greatest offensive line to be effective, though his injury history suggests that his next team will not want to run near as much Empty formation to minimize hits and prevent further injuries. Team him up with star wide receiver Justin Jefferson, and the Vikings could be dangerous.

But what about quarterbacks beyond Burrow? Let's look at players like former Vikings quarterback Sam Darnold, Indianapolis Colts quarterback Daniel Jones, San Francisco quarterback Mac Jones and Pittsburgh Steelers quarterback Aaron Rodgers.

The above players tier just outside of franchise quarterback to Top 25-30 starter in the league category. And while that may not be exciting to Vikings fans, it probably means the postseason. It's possible even adding Marcus Mariota could lead the team to the playoffs.

Passable quarterback talent got the Vikings to 14-3 last season. Former Vikings signal caller Sam Darnold is doing it again for the Seahawks and illustrating that you don't have to be elite at quarterback, but you can't be awful. That's exactly what Minnesota was at the position last season.

Then there's the final tier: not a starter, but a solid backup. We won't go lower than that. The Vikings had that in the 2025 season with Carson Wentz, who was effective at times at the position. That said, adding a backup is not going to move the needle unless McCarthy becomes the quarterback the Vikings want him to become next year.

Should the team add a backup, we're probably looking at more of the same but maybe worse in 2026.

There's plenty to consider and financial hurdles to navigate for the Vikings this offseason. We'll see if the team can make a big move happen at quarterback over the next few months.