The Minnesota Vikings are in the market for a veteran quarterback to back up J.J. McCarthy. That's a simple declaration, but it's absolutely true. They could just go with Brett Rypien as McCarthy's backup, but that seems unlikely.
While a trade remains an option, the list of free agent quarterback options for the Vikings continues to thin. The Cleveland Browns have signed Joe Flacco, and he has a theoretical chance to start there. Another veteran option signed on Friday morning, as the well-traveled Josh Johnson agreed to deal with the Washington Commanders.
It's become clear the Vikings are not going to sign a veteran quarterback until after the draft, with eyes on not impacting the compensatory draft pick formula. Signing Flacco felt practically inevitable with that timeline in mind, but he can't be blamed for taking a potential opportunity to start.
With Flacco off the board, here are four free-agent quarterbacks the Vikings could turn toward.
4 free-agent quarterback options left for the Minnesota Vikings
Aaron Rodgers
Let's get the elephant in the room out of the way. Aaron Rodgers lingers available, with one viable option right now if he wants to play in 2025: the Pittsburgh Steelers. He could also choose to retire, he could continue to hold on to his pipe dream of playing for the Vikings, or he could wait for an injured starter somewhere else during OTAs and training camp.
Vikings general manager Kwesi Adofo-Mensah and head coach Kevin O'Connell have acknowledged having the discussion about Rodgers, and the door is not completely shut, while also confirming a commitment to McCarthy.
It feels like they answered a proverbial call from Rodgers and/or his agent, and since O'Connell is friends with Rodgers, he gave him some professional courtesy, lest he end up on Rodgers' list of enemies.
It's against Rodgers' grain to settle into a backup role in deference to a young quarterback who has not taken a regular-season NFL snap. But as some continue to push the idea he could be a Viking at some point, the non-zero chance it happens begrudgingly lands the four-time MVP on this list.
Tyler Huntley
Tyler Huntley finished the 2021 and 2022 seasons as the Baltimore Ravens' starter when Lamar Jackson was injured, and he started a playoff game in the latter season. Whatever promise he showed during that initial run of action in 2021 has largely faded from memory, but he has forged a career for himself after going undrafted.
Huntley's five starts for the Miami Dolphins in place of an injured Tua Tagovailoa last season were patently unremarkable, unless you'd like to note two games where he had at least a 100 passer rating.
Huntley has settled in as a milquetoast backup with experience in multiple offensive systems. Long careers can he had operating in that subsection of quarterbacks, and the Vikings could see him as a fit to back up/mentor McCarthy for a year (or two?).
Ryan Tannehill
Ryan Tannehill did not play last season, and it's fairly clear he won't just sign anywhere as teams possibly seek him out this offseason. In March, Jordan Schultz of Fox Sports reported the Vikings had talked to Tannehill, but "nothing was imminent."
If the Vikings really wanted Tannehill, they could've signed him already, and with Flacco gone, they could do so at any time now. Since he was not on a roster last year, he would not impact the compensatory pick formula.
Tannehill's past comments about it not being his job to mentor a young quarterback are meaningless when considering the possibility he joins the Vikings. It will largely come down to his desire to resume his career or stay effectively retired as he waits to see if a situation he likes surfaces for 2025. The Vikings could be that situation.
Carson Wentz
Wentz is headed for his fifth team in as many seasons, as he's moved from being an easily-discarded starter to becoming a journeyman backup.
He spent last season as Patrick Mahomes' backup in Kansas City, and the season before that, he was with the Los Angeles Rams as Matthew Stafford's backup under Sean McVay. Vikings head coach Kevin O'Connell is, of course, a notable branch of the McVay coaching tree.
In true journeyman backup fashion, Wentz has started the meaningless regular season finale in each of the last two seasons as a playoff-bound team rested key players.
The template for the veteran quarterback the Vikings will sign to back up McCarthy seems obvious, and some (Rodgers) don't fit it. Wentz fits that profile, arguably better than any remaining free agent option, as he moves through his second act without the spotlight and scrutiny he dealt with early in his career.