Now that it has been established that the Minnesota Vikings will be moving forward with J.J. McCarthy as the team's starting quarterback, the team's focus can shift to finding a veteran backup signal-caller before the start of the 2025 season.
Currently, McCarthy and Brett Rypien are the only two quarterbacks under contract with the Vikings, but that might change in the near future.
According to FOX Sports's Jordan Schultz on Friday, Minnesota and free-agent passer Ryan Tannehill "have had discussions" about a possible deal to add him to the team's quarterback room. Tannehill wasn't with a team last season, but it sounds like he's interested in getting back on the field.
Ryan Tannehill and Minnesota Vikings QB J.J. McCarthy already have plenty in common
Before sitting the 2024 campaign out, Tannehill was last a member of the Tennessee Titans in 2023. He was with the Titans for a total of five seasons before the two parties went their separate ways in 2024.
Prior to suiting up for Tennessee, Tannehill spent the first seven years of his pro career with the Miami Dolphins. The veteran quarterback entered the league with the Dolphins after they selected him with the 10th overall pick in the 2012 NFL Draft.
Coincidentally, if he winds up signing with the Vikings, Tannehill would be backing up someone in McCarthy who was also a 10th overall selection in the NFL Draft.
If Tannehill is okay with not getting a shot to compete for the No. 1 job, he is likely near the top of Minnesota's list of candidates to serve as the QB2 behind McCarthy. He has a ton of starting experience (156 career starts, including the playoffs), he was a former first-round pick, and he even knows what it's like to return to the field after suffering a serious knee injury.
Tannehill will turn 37 in July, so his time to continue his career in the NFL is nearing the end, if it hasn't come to a close already.
During his 12 years in the league, he was never a member of a Super Bowl-winning roster, and if he's willing to mentor McCarthy, then that might be something the Vikings can help him accomplish.