With Sam Darnold now officially gone, and J.J. McCarthy having one preseason game as the extent of his NFL experience, the Minnesota Vikings are firmly in the market for a veteran quarterback to pair with their quarterback of the future, who's now the quarterback of the present barring an unforeseen move.
If he doesn't go elsewhere, bringing back Daniel Jones is an option. Some reporters think Aaron Rodgers is an option, but those who actually put thought into that idea know better.
During ESPN's "Free Agency Frenzy" on Monday, their analysts took a run a projecting landing spots for quarterbacks. As passed along by Vikings' beat writer Kevin Seifert, Dan Orlovsky had a pretty interesting one for Minnesota.
"During ESPN’s free agency special on ESPN2, Dan Orlovsky suggests Jameis Winston as the Vikings’ UFA QB option, presumably if Daniel Jones signs elsewhere.”
Jameis Winston is intriguing QB2 option for the Minnesota Vikings
Winston was taken No. 1 overall in the 2015 draft by the Tampa Bay Buccaneers, with a mix of exciting and erratic play and off-the-field issues. After five years there he spent four seasons with the New Orleans Saints, serving mostly as a backup (10 starts) as he took a step back and matured. He spent last season with the Cleveland Browns, with with 13 touchdowns and 12 interceptions over 12 appearances (seven starts).
As Seifert hinted, the Vikings may prefer to bring Jones back as McCarthy's backup, due to familiarity, etc. But the former Giant appears to have at least other option on the open market (the Indianapolis Colts, according to multiple reports), with potentially better opportunity to start.
If a backup quarterback has to step in for the starter, he needs to be the right mix of good and fun/interesting to watch play. Winston would be lifted by the talent around him with the Vikings, and he still has the "YOLO" style of play he had in Tampa Bay. He has also become a fun personality and an underrated leader.
Orlovsky matching Minnesota with Winston was a little bit out there at first glance, but the Vikings should survey all options to back up McCarthy and the former No. 1 overall pick might just be a great fit.