Prominent Voice Calls for Vikings QB Competition
On November 9, 2025, in Minneapolis, Minnesota, Minnesota Vikings quarterback J.J. McCarthy (9) warmed up before kickoff against the Baltimore Ravens at U.S. Bank Stadium. The rookie signal-caller went through his pregame routine under the lights, focusing on timing and precision throws ahead of the high-stakes interconference matchup. His calm demeanor during warmups reflected growing confidence and leadership as the Vikings aimed to rebound from a challenging midseason stretch. Mandatory Credit: Brad Rempel-Imagn Images.
Just when the Minnesota Vikings had taken their big swing at a quarterback of the future, one man thinks itâs time for an open competition to determine â you guessed it â a quarterback of the future. Thatâs the latest and greatest take from Pro Football Talkâs Mike Florio, who called for an open competition at QB1 next offseason and summer.
A well-known NFL analyst believes the Vikings should open up a quarterback competition next offseason, putting pressure on J.J. McCarthyâs starting role.
The Vikings, meanwhile, will likely remain faithful to McCarthyâs development, refusing to abandon him after a seasonâs worth of starts.
Mike Florio Says Vikings Need Open QB Competition in 2026
Here we go again, eh?
On January 21, 2023, in Kansas City, Missouri, CBS Sports analyst Mike Florio was seen on the field at GEHA Field at Arrowhead Stadium before the AFC Divisional Round matchup between the Kansas City Chiefs and Jacksonville Jaguars. Florio, the host of Pro Football Talk Live, prepared for pregame coverage as the playoff atmosphere intensified under cold Midwest conditions. Mandatory Credit: Denny Medley-USA TODAY Sports.
The âOpen Competitionâ Phase for McCarthyâs Career Trajectory
Florio kickstarted the offseason dialogue this week, claiming itâs time for Minnesota to ponder a world where multiple passers vie for the QB1 title, not just McCarthy.
He said on his show, âThe Vikings need a quarterback competition. I think they need to sign somebody in the offseason, not as the âyouâre going to be the starter and J.J.âs out. âI think they need to make him earn it against someone. They need him in day-to-day competition to push him toward his ceiling. And whatever his ceiling is, it is what it is.â
âRight now, I am concerned the ceiling isnât where it needs to be because we canât have one week where it all clicks. Itâs not like heâs ever going to be a gunslinger. Heâs never going to be Matthew Stafford. Itâs going to be about what he can do at the right time â make the right play in the right spot. Sometimes we win, sometimes we donât.â
McCarthy is under contract in Minnesota for two more seasons after 2025, and the club can pick up his fifth-year rookie option in 2028.
Florio added, âI think they need to be looking for somebody with a higher ceiling. So they need to either push him toward that higher ceiling internally or just pull the plug.â
Perhaps Just a Fantastic Backup?
In the most recent offseason, Minnesota didnât seem to prioritize the QB2. For example, until the draft, Brett Rypien held the job, and heâs no longer anywhere near Minnesotaâs roster. General manager Kwesi Adofo-Mensah acquired Sam Howell via trade in the draft, a man who stuck around for four months before being shipped to the Philadelphia Eagles.
Adofo-Mensah later signed Carson Wentz, who played in five games this season before injuring his shoulder and ending his campaign.
On September 14, 2025, in Minneapolis, Minnesota, Vikings quarterback J.J. McCarthy (9) prepared to throw during first-half action against the Atlanta Falcons at U.S. Bank Stadium. The rookie passer showed poise in the pocket as Minnesotaâs offense worked to find balance against Atlantaâs aggressive front, continuing McCarthyâs steady development as the team evaluated his growth early in the season. Mandatory Credit: Matt Krohn-Imagn Images.
In the 2026 offseason, mainly because of McCarthyâs injury resume, the Vikings should sign a trustworthy QB2 right away in free agency or acquire one via trade. Waiting until the draft for a Howell-type or rolling with a Rypien-caliber performer probably wonât cut it. Perhaps the club learned its lesson.
The Options in 2026
So, whoâs it going to be?
If the Vikings take Florioâs path â sign or trade for a player who can battle McCarthy for the QB1 job â the list might look like this:
Max Brosmer
Kirk Cousins
Mac Jones
Trey Lance
Will Levis
Drew Lock
Kyler Murray
Aaron Rodgers
Anthony Richardson
Shedeur Sanders
And if Minnesota merely wants a dependable backup in 2026, these are the candidates via free agency or trade:
Teddy Bridgewater
Jake Browning
Jimmy Garoppolo
Joe Flacco
Case Keenum
Marcus Mariota
Gardner Minshew
Kenny Pickett
Tyrod Taylor
Mitchell Trubisky
Carson Wentz
Malik Willis
Russell Wilson
Zach Wilson
Final Eight Games of 2025 Should Tell on McCarthy
Minnesota will know much more about the stakes with McCarthy when the regular season ends. For now, the man has started four games, mixing the bitter and the sweet while his team has posted a 2-2 record on his watch.
First-time quarterbacks donât typically reveals their true selves until around 250-300 passing attempts; McCarthy is just over 100 at the moment.
On September 22, 2024, in Nashville, Tennessee, Tennessee Titans quarterback Will Levis (8) awaited his chance to take the field against the Green Bay Packers at Nissan Stadium. The young signal-caller, viewed as a key piece of Tennesseeâs rebuild, prepared to lead his offense as fans filled the stands under sunny skies for the early-season AFC matchup. Mandatory Credit: Steve Roberts-Imagn Images.
McCarthy could bedazzle the masses in the final nine games, prompting the club to invest in a QB2 like Gardner Minshew or Jimmy Garoppolo.
Or, if McCarthy stinks in the next two months, a man like Will Levis might make the most sense for a true 2026 competition â the one described by Florio.
Too, if McCarthy were to get hurt or very vividly not look the part of a franchise quarterback in 2025, Minnesota could explore the draft for a rookie and have the best of both worlds: two young quarterbacks in the chamber â three if you count Max Brosmer.
