6 veteran QBs who could be the Vikings backup for the 2021 season

(Photo by Scott Taetsch/Getty Images) Taylor Heinicke
(Photo by Scott Taetsch/Getty Images) Taylor Heinicke /
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Minnesota Vikings
(Photo by Stacy Revere/Getty Images) Blake Bortles /

Blake Bortles (Free Agent)

Currently, Blake Bortles doesn’t have a home for the 2021 season. Bortles spent a little bit of time with the Green Bay Packers earlier this year, but he was let go after Aaron Rodgers decided he wanted to actually play football this season.

Bortles has plenty of starting experience and he’s helped a team get to a conference championship game in the past. He’s also the best free-agent quarterback currently available, so if the Vikings aren’t looking to make a trade for anyone, the former top-three draft pick might be someone to consider.

C.J. Beathard (Jacksonville Jaguars)

With only one win in his first 10 starts, C.J. Beathard’s career in the NFL didn’t get off to that great of a start. But in two starts with the San Francisco 49ers last season, Beathard threw for 455 yards, four touchdowns, and zero interceptions while posting a 110.5 quarterback rating.

He’s someone that Minnesota probably wouldn’t have to give up a lot in a trade to acquire. The Jaguars could also choose to let him go before the start of the season, and if that ends up happening, the Vikings might be among the teams interested in signing him.