3 free-agent QBs the Vikings could sign after J.J. McCarthy injury news

The Minnesota Vikings were dealt a serious punch in the gut on Wednesday afternoon, as No. 10 overall pick J.J. McCarthy saw his rookie year come to an end before it began. After suffering a meniscus injury in Minnesota's 2024 preseason opener against the Las Vegas Raiders, the nightmare scenario became reality.

McCarthy will miss the entire 2024 season due to his knee injury. While Sam Darnold was projected to be the Week 1 starter against the New York Giants, McCarthy is viewed as the future of this franchise. After his injury, fans will need to wait a bit to see his whip-like arm lead the Vikings to wins.

The current Vikings depth chart under center consists of Darnold leading the charge with two career backups, Nick Mullens and Jaren Hall, trying their best to earn the newly opened QB2 role. Minnesota general manager Kwesi Adofo-Mensah would be right to deem this quarterback room as wholly inadequate.

These three quarterbacks are still unsigned and hanging out in the free agent miasma. While they don't have the high-end potential of McCarthy, they could help provide additonal firepower in the event the notoriously volatile Darnold isn't playing up to par.

Free-agent QBs the Minnesota Vikings could sign after J.J. McCarthy injury news

Blaine Gabbert

2023 Team: Kansas City Chiefs

Another former first-round bust, Blaine Gabbert, has made a name for himself as a backup to the stars in recent years by winning Super Bowls behind Tom Brady in Tampa Bay and Patrick Mahomes in Kansas City. While he lacks the accuracy needed to effectively run Kevin O'Connell's offense, he has mobility and experience on his side.

With Mullens the most experienced quarterback in this room at 29 years old, getting a steady veteran hand who can pick up a playbook quickly could be advantageous for Minnesota.

A.J. McCarron

2023 Team: Cincinnati Bengals

The pride of the St. Louis BattleHawks, A.J. McCarron, turned his XFL stint into another backup gig with the Cincinnati Bengals last year. In the XFL, McCarron has thrown 39 touchdowns against 10 interceptions in 17 starts (12 wins) while completing two-thirds of his passes.

While the arm strength is below par, McCarron is accurate and can run a professional offense, which can't be said of every free-agent quarterback out there.

Ryan Tannehill

2023 Team: Tennessee Titans

Tannehill should be the move if the Vikings want any semblance of competitiveness this year. While he struggled mightily during his final year with the Titans, an outdated scheme combined with arguably the worst offensive line in the league and one good wide receiver knee-capped his ability to produce.

In the four seasons prior to 2023, Tannehill went 36-19 as a starter and put together an average passer rating of 100.5. With a still solid deep ball, enough mobility to make plays out of structure, and a history of success in an offense similar to what Minnesota will run his year, Kwesi should be on the phone with Tannehill's agent within the hour.

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