The Minnesota Vikings have already tackled much of their offseason roster overhaul. They’ve bolstered the offensive line, made significant investments in the defensive front, retained their top defensive backs, and added depth in both the secondary and linebacker corps. On top of that, they pulled off a trade to acquire another highly skilled running back.
Simply put, this Vikings squad looks vastly different from the one that fell to the Los Angeles Rams in the Wild Card round of the 2024 NFL Playoffs. However, one major question mark remains—the quarterback position. After Sam Darnold secured a sizable deal in Seattle, head coach Kevin O’Connell and his staff shifted their attention to Daniel Jones.
Yet, after spending a few months with the organization, the former No. 6 overall pick wasn’t confident in his ability to win the starting job over rookie JJ McCarthy. Instead, Jones opted for what he saw as a better opportunity in Indianapolis, where he’ll compete against Anthony Richardson.
For now, the Vikings’ quarterback situation is being overshadowed by speculation surrounding Aaron Rodgers, a conversation that continued over the weekend. Still, as expected, O’Connell and the front office are preparing for multiple veteran quarterback options—some of whom don’t go by the nickname “A-Rodg.”
Joe Flacco to the Minnesota Vikings?
One thing is certain: Brett Rypien won’t be QB2 for the Vikings next season. Beyond that, aside from the Aaron Rodgers speculation, there’s been little concrete information on which veteran quarterbacks Minnesota values most.
That changed today when respected NFL insider Albert Breer (Sports Illustrated) reported in his Monday Morning Quarterback column that the Vikings have been in contact with another 40-year-old Super Bowl-winning quarterback still available—Joe Flacco.
“Joe Flacco visited the Giants last week—which was a way, I think, for the team to check him out, and for Flacco to get his name back in circulation. Yes, he’s 40. But as a one-year solution, at a way cheaper rate than Cousins or Rodgers, I think the guy can still play. And the Browns, Steelers and Vikings think enough of him still to have checked on him.”
After spending three seasons with the New York Jets as a backup and mentor to yet another failed first-round pick, Flacco appeared headed for retirement. However, when Deshaun Watson went down in Cleveland, former Vikings OC Kevin Stefanski brought him in.
The 17-year NFL veteran responded by leading the Browns to 11 wins and a playoff berth. His unexpected resurgence earned him the 2023 Comeback Player of the Year award after throwing for 1,600 yards, 13 touchdowns, and 8 interceptions in just five games.
In 2024, Flacco moved on from the Browns’ chaos to another turbulent situation with the Indianapolis Colts. After Anthony Richardson voluntarily stepped aside, Flacco seized another opportunity as a starter.
What does Joe Flacco have left in the tank?
As Breer notes, while Flacco is 40, there’s no doubt he could step in as the Vikings’ starting quarterback if needed. In his eight appearances (six starts) with the Colts last season, he completed 65.3% of his passes while throwing for 12 touchdowns and 7 interceptions.
If Minnesota were to sign Flacco, it likely wouldn’t be costly—he earned just $5 million in Indianapolis last season, half of what Sam Darnold is making as the Vikings’ bridge quarterback in 2024. With 196 career NFL games under his belt, Flacco has amassed 4,166 completions for 54,697 yards, 257 touchdowns, and 162 interceptions—an invaluable wealth of experience for rookie JJ McCarthy to learn from.
The remaining backup quarterback options on the market are limited, especially if Kevin O’Connell is prioritizing a more reliable veteran over riskier choices like Jameis Winston or Gardner Minshew—which, by all indications, he is.
Signing Flacco would solidify MN Vikings QB plan
Barring an unexpected move for Aaron Rodgers, any veteran quarterback signing at this stage would solidify Minnesota’s commitment to J.J. McCarthy as their starter. This has been Kwesi Adofo-Mensah’s vision since taking over in 2022.
McCarthy has been a proven winner at every level, finishing his Michigan career with 40 starts and a National Championship. As a junior, he led the Big Ten with a 72.3% completion rate, offering exactly what Kevin O’Connell wants in a quarterback.
Now entering the second year of his rookie contract, McCarthy remains a cost-effective option for at least three more seasons. If the Vikings want to maximize their cap space and continue building a strong roster around him, this is the path forward.
Be the first to comment