While the Minnesota Vikings had logical reasons for waiting until Day 3 of April’s draft to add a backup quarterback, it’s fair to say they made their bed.
Based on the latest reports from training camp, the Vikings are now laying in it, and the situation is getting more uncomfortable by the day.
Young journeyman Sam Howell, who the Vikings acquired from the Seahawks for a swap of fifth-round draft picks, has struggled to grasp Kevin O’Connell’s offense so far in camp, per Alec Lewis of The Athletic.
“The backup quarterback position remains a question mark. So much of O’Connell’s offense is tied to rhythm and timing, and 24-year-old Sam Howell continues to operate a tick slow. Safety Theo Jackson intercepted Howell to end Wednesday’s practice. His worst throw may have come Friday, when Howell released the ball late over the middle and, again, Jackson swooped in for the pick.”
The Vikings held a padded practice under the lights for fans on Monday night, and Howell reportedly underwhelmed once again in a session dominated by the defense.
Again, the Vikings had their reasons for letting both Sam Darnold and Daniel Jones walk in free agency. They’re projected to receive the top compensatory pick — a third-rounder for Darnold’s $100 million contract with Seattle — for the second consecutive year.
But passing on solid outside options like Cooper Rush, Gardner Minshew, or even Joe Flacco will become an easy second guess if young quarterback J.J. McCarthy misses time with another injury. He’s preparing to play the first real snaps of his NFL career after losing his entire rookie season to a torn meniscus.
Adding to the problem? Minnesota’s best options to replace Howell are difficult to find as the NFL preseason gets set to take center stage.
3 trade options the Minnesota Vikings should consider if Sam Howell gets cut
Tanner McKee (Philadelphia Eagles)
McKee has climbed from former sixth-round draft pick to Jalen Hurts’ top backup entering the 2025 season. It would take a premium draft pick, but Howie Roseman is always looking to add value to his roster, and flipping McKee into a Day 2 selection would qualify.
The Vikings hosted McKee for a top-30 visit prior to the draft in 2023. If they like the player enough to part with one of their two 2026 third-round draft picks, the Vikings would have a sudden solution to their QB2 problem.
An added bonus? McKee is under contract through 2026 at barely $1 million per year. The Eagles would likely ask for more than a single third-round draft pick, so the cost could be a potential hurdle. But McKee feels like the perfect prototype: A pure pocket passer the team showed interest in who could actually push McCarthy in practice. The Vikings should go get him.
Davis Mills (Houston Texans)
Mills’ style would fit the O’Connell offense well. CBS Sports analyst Cody Benjamin mocked Mills to the Vikings prior to the 2021 NFL Draft. He’s appeared in 38 games over four years and his contract is set to expire after this season. Mills appears to be having a strong camp in Houston as C.J. Stroud’s backup.
Jameis Winston (New York Giants)
Winston might not be the best fit for Minnesota’s style, but adding him would be a lot of fun. The Giants are unlikely to move him, as he signed a two-year contract this offseason.
But with Russell Wilson and rookie Jaxson Dart at the top of the depth chart, and Tommy DeVito still in the mix, the Vikings could check in on Winston’s availability.
A McCarthy-Winston combo would be straight theater, and a veteran QB with 154 career touchdown passes would be an obvious upgrade over Howell and Brett Rypien.
Honorable Mention: Kirk Cousins (Atlanta Falcons)
There’s been plenty of chatter about a potential Cousins reunion this season. In reality, it’s not happening, at least not via trade. In the off chance the Falcons decide to cut the NFL’s $180 million backup quarterback, the Vikings could then feasibly swoop in and land Cousins on a veteran minimum contract.
In a perfect world, Cousins could seamlessly rejoin Minnesota’s locker room culture and not disturb McCarthy’s standing as the new franchise QB. That’s probably wishful thinking, though, as the media circus alone is reason to seek other options.