Minnesota Vikings Veteran Free Agent Quarterback Options

After letting Christian Ponder hit free agency and agreeing to trade Matt Cassel to the Bills, the Minnesota Vikings will be looking for a veteran passer to back up Teddy Bridgewater for the 2015 NFL season. Luckily for the team, they won’t need to look for a starting caliber passer and won’t need to be spending that kind of money.

Minnesota Vikings fans are throwing names around as to who they would like to see the team pick up, but there are quite a few other options out there. Here is a list of unrestricted free agent passers that could be available for Minnesota this offseason.

Top 2015 Free Agent Quarterbacks

Dec 14, 2014; Nashville, TN, USA; Tennessee Titans quarterback Jake Locker (10) rolls out to pass against the New York Jets during the first half at LP Field. Mandatory Credit: Don McPeak-USA TODAY Sports

Jake Locker (26): He’s got a strong arm, but struggles to stay healthy. When used in a role as a backup, he could be much more efficient and wouldn’t have to take the beating that a full NFL season would give him.

Mark Sanchez (28): The Vikings might be looking for a passer with more consistency than Sanchez, who had games where he looked great and others where he didn’t look like he knew what he was doing. Still, Sanchez is a big name that could draw more attention than he’s really worth.

Kyle Orton (32): He’s retired and unretired. Now, he’s out of a job in Buffalo after they traded for Matt Cassel. Orton went to the Bills to get a starting job, but wouldn’t get one with the Minnesota Vikings. Would Orton accept a backup role?

Brian Hoyer (29): He was up and down with the Cleveland Browns, but for the right price he could be a very viable backup. However, he may look to go to a team where he can compete for a starting job, and he wouldn’t get that with the Minnesota Vikings.

Tarvaris Jackson (31): After winning a Super Bowl ring as the backup for Russell Wilson, Jackson could return to the team that drafted him back in 2006 as a veteran to help out Teddy Bridgewater.

Shaun Hill (35): He’s the oldest of all the unrestricted free agent quarterbacks, but he proved he’s a good backup in his career. Hill got his start with the Vikings just like Jackson did, so perhaps he wants to close out with Minnesota as well. If Hill doesn’t get an offer he likes, he could consider retirement.

Colt McCoy (28): He shined against the Cowboys last year, but people could worry that his success was a fluke. Still, he graded out pretty well according to the folks at Pro Football Focus and could be a decent backup.

Other Notable 2015 Free Agent QBs

Dec 7, 2014; Miami Gardens, FL, USA; Miami Dolphins quarterback Matt Moore (8) warms up before a game against the Baltimore Ravens at Sun Life Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Steve Mitchell-USA TODAY Sports

Matt Moore (30)

Jason Campbell (33)

Michael Vick (34)

Ryan Mallett (26)

Blaine Gabbert (25)

Christian Ponder (27)

Of these options, who would you like to see the Minnesota Vikings go after in free agency? Who on this list would you absolutely not want to see the team pursue? Is there a player not mentioned here that you’d like the team to have as a backup for the Vikings? Discuss it in the comments below.

Next: Top 10 Biggest Vikings Salaries For 2015

Minnesota Vikings Veteran Free Agent Quarterback Options

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