The Minnesota Vikings might have just been handed the easiest possible solution to a quarterback problem they don't technically have yet. If J.J. McCarthy is traded or cut before Sunday's roster deadline, Nick Mullens suddenly makes a ton of sense as Minnesota's QB3.
NFL Network's Mike Garafolo reported Sunday that the Jacksonville Jaguars are releasing Mullens one day after acquiring Quinn Ewers from Miami. Jacksonville's move leaves the 31-year-old veteran looking for work at the exact moment Minnesota could be rearranging its quarterback room.
And unlike most names appearing on the roster-cut scrap heap, Mullens already knows his way around the Vikings' facilities.
Nick Mullens would fit perfectly behind Kyler Murray and Carson Wentz in Minnesota Vikings QB room
Mullens spent 2022, 2023, and 2024 with Minnesota, all three seasons under Kevin O'Connell. The Vikings originally traded for him before the 2022 season, and he later made three starts during the quarterback chaos that followed Kirk Cousins' Achilles injury in 2023.
His previous Vikings run was never prime viewing, mostly because Mullens has never encountered a throwing window he didn't believe he could attack.
But we're talking about QB3 here.
Mullens knows O'Connell's offense, has worked with Justin Jefferson and Jordan Addison, and has already shown he can move the ball in this system. Across his Vikings tenure, he completed 70.3 percent of his passes for 1,568 yards, eight touchdowns and nine interceptions.
For his career, Mullens has completed 533 of 808 passes for 6,448 yards, 34 touchdowns and 31 interceptions with an 88.3 passer rating. His 2026 preseason in Jacksonville wasn't particularly inspiring, with 14 completions on 21 attempts for 160 yards, no touchdowns and one interception.
But it's not like Minnesota would be signing him to challenge Kyler Murray -- or even Carson Wentz, for that matter.
The Vikings already brought Wentz back as veteran insurance this offseason, leaving McCarthy and Max Brosmer behind Murray on Minnesota's crowded depth chart. Wentz has also recently been getting increased work while McCarthy trade speculation has followed the former No. 10 pick throughout the summer.
Teams must reach 53 players by 5 p.m. CST Sunday, and Minnesota's decision on McCarthy remains the one worth watching.
If McCarthy leaves, don't overthink QB3. Bring back Mullens, hide the deep-middle safety from him, and call it a day.
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