The Minnesota Vikings likely didn't think they'd be in the market for a quarterback so soon after selecting J.J. McCarthy in the first round of the 2024 NFL Draft, but after his repeated injuries and subpar play in 2025, Kevin O'Connell will likely give veteran free agents on the market a very long look.
The Arizona Cardinals may have made one of the more well-known names in the pool of possible acquisitions even more attainable, as they recently confirmed they will release former No. 1 overall pick Kyler Murray. Not only would Murray be an improvement over McCarthy, but he would cost next to nothing.
If they fail to sign Murray, his Cardinals teammate, Jacoby Brissett, could be a more experienced alternative. Rumors from CBS's Jonathan Jones suggest that Arizona could give him up for as little as a Day 3 draft pick. A Vikings team that is in a very difficult spot as far as the finances are concerned could be attracted to the cheaper Brissett.
Minnesota Vikings could trade Day 3 pick to Arizona Cardinals for Jacoby Brissett
Brissett is a well-traveled veteran who has flipped between starter and backup often in his pro career. While his stints in Indianapolis and Cleveland showed that he can operate an NFL offense, his first (and possibly only) season in Arizona suggests that he may have found a second wind.
Brissett only won one start, but his 23-touchdown performance against just eight interceptions is almost never the type of production that could be acquired for a late pick like this. Bringing him in may not be the same death knell for McCarthy that Murray could be.
Murray would either beat out McCarthy in an open competition or step in at the first sign of anything adverse. Brissett would at least give McCarthy. longer runway to prove himself, and he would give the Vikings a proven alternative if they get tired of riding the same roller-coaster.
The New York Jets could be one team the Vikings will need to outbid if they want to secure Brissett's services. Not only is their need for a quarterback somehow greater than Minnesota's, but Brissett has a connection with new offensive coordinator Frank Reich.
Brissett being talked about as an upgrade over McCarthy shows how far the former top pick has fallen, but the Vikings have to know that heading into the 2026 season without any serious competition for No. 9 will be a one-way ticket to yet another campaign out of the postseason.