3 Hot Vikings Rumors: Jameis Winston, Asante Samuel Jr., and J.J. McCarthy’s Preseason

New York Giants quarterback Jameis Winston (19) addresses the media during training camp interviews on Sunday, July 27, 2025. Winston has become the subject of new speculation regarding a potential move to Minnesota as the Vikings continue to evaluate backup quarterback options. Mandatory Credit: Kevin R. Wexler-NorthJersey.com / USA TODAY NETWORK.

The Minnesota Vikings’ start of the regular season is 37 days away, a showdown in Chicago with the Bears on September 8th.

Three intriguing Vikings rumors are popping off: Jameis Winston buzz, Asante Samuel Jr. theories, and early reports on J.J. McCarthy’s preseason availability.

Until then, the team has training camp to wind down, the preseason, a 53-man roster cut — and some rumors.

So, these are the latest Vikings rumors for Saturday, August 2nd.

Vikings Rumors | August 2, 2025

This is the purple rumor a week before the preseason.

New Orleans Saints quarterback Jameis Winston scans the field during a division clash with the Atlanta Falcons at Caesars Superdome. The photo was taken Dec 18, 2022, during Winston’s time as QB2 in New Orleans. He would later bounce between backup and starting roles. Mandatory Credit: Stephen Lew-USA TODAY Sports.

Rumor: Jameis Winston would make sense for the Vikings via trade.

The Vikings could’ve somewhat easily signed Winston in free agency. They did not.

Now, Bleacher Report‘s Kristopher Knox believes Minnesota should pursue him via trade. Knox explained this week, “While Winston may not be completely expendable, a few teams should see if he is available. The 31-year-old does have an alarming turnover problem, but he can still stretch the field and pilot a high-powered passing attack.”

“In one of his seven starts with Cleveland last season, Winston threw for 497 yards, four touchdowns and three interceptions. While Winston can be an effective spot starter and is a tremendous locker room leader, he should most interest teams looking for a dedicated backup and mentor.”

Minnesota then got the formal nomination from Knox.

Cleveland Browns quarterback Jameis Winston claps as the team enters the field before a winter home game against the Dolphins. Captured Dec 29, 2024, this late-season moment marked one of Winston’s final NFL appearances to date. Mandatory Credit: Scott Galvin-Imagn Images.

“The Minnesota Vikings and Titans would both make sense. While Minnesota did trade for Sam Howell this offseason, it doesn’t have a ton of experience behind second-year quarterback and first-year starter J.J. McCarthy. The Titans, meanwhile, are largely expected to open the season with Ward as their starter,” Knox added.

“They have some experience in the form of Tim Boyle and Brandon Allen, but they recently lost Levis to a season-ending shoulder injury. Winston could be a helpful mentor to Ward while giving the Titans a high-end backup option. His arm talent would fit with Brian Callahan’s pass-heavy offense. Top Potential Suitors: Minnesota Vikings, Tennessee Titans.”

This one isn’t totally loony, but general manager Kwesi Adofo-Mensah probably would’ve signed Winston a few months ago if we wanted him badly.

Rumor: NFL.com renewed the Asante Samuel Jr. sweepstakes for Minnesota.

Kevin Patra listed landing spots for each high-profile free agent this summer, and when he got Asante Samuel Jr., the Vikings got the call.

Patra wrote, “The comments from Asante Samuel Sr. regarding Miami persuaded me to look elsewhere for a landing spot for his son. The Vikings fit the bill. Minnesota has questions at corner outside of Pro Bowler Byron Murphy. Mekhi Blackmon is coming off a torn ACL sustained last July.”

“Jeff Okudah has never lived up to his first-round draft billing and continues to bounce around the league. And Isaiah Rodgers has started 13 games in his career (missed all of 2023 due to suspension). The 25-year-old Samuel Jr. has his detractions, including questionable tackling, but could find a fit in Brian Flores’ system. There are injury concerns with Samuel Jr., too (he missed 13 games last season), but the talent is there to take a swing.”

Los Angeles Chargers cornerback A. Samuel Jr. reacts in frustration following the team’s crushing 31–30 playoff loss to the Jaguars. The photo was taken Jan 14, 2023, at TIAA Bank Field in Jacksonville — a night that ended the Chargers’ postseason hopes. Mandatory Credit: Nathan Ray Seebeck-Imagn Images.

Samuel Jr. is no stranger to the Vikings’ rumor mill, connected via speculation for about four months. It’s all about his health; he reportedly had neck surgery in April.

If given a clean bill of health, Minnesota makes sense as a destination.

Rumor: J.J. McCarthy will play in one preseason game.

FantasyLife‘s Thor Nystrom tweeted this week, “I can confirm something that the Vikings have strongly hinted at — JJ McCarthy will play in the first preseason game (vs HOU/Aug 9), but the plan is to sit him out in the last 2 (vs NEP/Aug 16 | at TEN/Aug 22).”

Therefore, like Sam Darnold last year, it sounds like one preseason game — a few drives — for McCarthy and then an on-ice assignment for the rest of the preseason.

Minnesota Vikings rookie quarterback J.J. McCarthy scrambles during second-quarter action against the Las Vegas Raiders. Taken Aug 10, 2024, this preseason debut at U.S. Bank Stadium was an early test of McCarthy’s mobility and poise under pressure. Mandatory Credit: Brad Rempel-USA TODAY Sports.

McCarthy said to reporters last week about his development, “Just all the opportunities of growth. That’s the biggest thing I’m looking forward to. There’s so many ways that you can get better in protections and reads and reacting to what the defense is throwing at you in the pocket.”

Get ready for one game’s worth of McCarthy in the preseason.