The Minnesota Vikings surprised nearly everyone by winning 14 games during the 2024 NFL season. One reason for their success was the emergence of quarterback Sam Darnold, a finalist for the AP Comeback Player of the Year award.
Darnold was on a one-year deal with the Vikings last season and is set to hit the open market when free agency starts. Several teams could be interested in his services for 2025, meaning he could be in line for a healthy contract.
Minnesota will likely move forward with young quarterback J.J. McCarthy next season, who sat out last season with an injury. They will also probably want a high-potential backup on the roster to give them a situation similar to last year.
Nick Mullens is also set to become an unrestricted free agent. That means the purple and gold could search for a reasonably priced backup and emergency option if something unexpected happens to their starter.
Speculation is wild about what the Vikings could do at quarterback this offseason. Some fans want another season of Sam Darnold. Others are ready to see what J.J. McCarthy has to offer. Some outside-the-box ideas could provide interesting options.
Bears draft bust suggested as a Vikings QB option for the 2025 season
Bleacher Report's Brad Gagnon recently shared an article outlining some NFL free agents who could end up on new teams in 2025. The list includes a quarterback idea for the Minnesota Vikings that should be familiar to fans.
Gagnon praised Fields' work with the Steelers last season. He cited that the quarterback only threw one interception on 161 pass attempts and posted a career-best 93.3 passer while starting six games in Pittsburgh.
If Justin Fields has improved his pass attack and can pair that with his athleticism, the former No. 11 pick in the 2021 NFL Draft could be a player to open some eyes around the league if he can be put in a good position in free agency.
"Imagine him in a special role with the Vikings, for example?"Bleacher Report's Brad Gagnon
It is not suggested in the article that Justin Fields should become Minnesota's starting quarterback in 2025. However, Gagnon said "special role" which could mean anything from short yard to goal line situations and anything in between that head coach Kevin O'Connell could imagine for him.
The Minnesota Vikings still need to see what they have in J.J. McCarthy. But if the price is right, kicking the tires on a mobile quarterback with starting experience and rising potential isn't the worst idea in the world, even if Justin Fields didn't pan out for the Chicago Bears.