Who will be the starting quarterback for the Minnesota Vikings during the 2026 NFL season? That is the question that many fans are asking after watching the team struggle at the position mightily in 2025.
J.J. McCarthy could still be the quarterback of the future, but the 23-year-old hasn't looked like he is ready to step into that role quite yet and has dealt with multiple injuries since being a first-round pick of the Vikings in 2024.
Minnesota has a big decision to make this offseason. Should they look to bring in a more experienced quarterback? If the team feels they are close to being contenders, this could be an interesting option for the front office of the purple and gold.
Recent Minnesota Vikings coaching news points to team pursuing former New Orleans Saints QB Derek Carr
It was a bit of a surprise when rumblings recently started about former Las Vegas Raiders and New Orleans Saints quarterback Derek Carr considering coming out of retirement to play again. The former Fresno State signal caller is now 34 years old, but could still be an asset for the Minnesota Vikings.
Recently, it was reported that the Raiders requested an interview with a member of Minnesota's staff to be their next quarterbacks coach. That coach is Vikings assistant offensive coordinator Jordan Traylor, who would have been tasked with aiding the possible development of Indiana quarterback Fernando Mendoza if Las Vegas makes him their pick at No. 1 overall in the 2026 NFL Draft.
Despite that request, CBS Sports' Matt Zenitz recently shared on X that the Vikings are now expected to retain Traylor, in part thanks to his relationship with Minnesota head coach Kevin O'Connell.
That is interesting because Traylor is listed as the Vikings' assistant offensive coordinator/assistant quarterbacks coach on the official team website. Not only that, but he was previously with the Saints, where he primarily worked with Derek Carr and helped to develop Spencer Rattler and Jake Haener.
If Carr decides to come out of retirement, it would be very tempting to come to Minnesota. The team has the best wide receiver in the league, a former Coach of the Year as the head coach, and a very familiar assistant coach.
While that doesn't make it a lock that he will end up in a purple and gold jersey, it should increase the odds of it happening.