It seems most likely that the Vikings will end up signing their QB2 to back up and mentor J.J. McCarthy after the draft (or maybe even end up getting one in the 2025 NFL Draft). However, Minnesota could look to add depth to the QB position in the way they have done for the most part in the Kevin O’Connell era; they could make a trade.
This is what they did in Kevin O’Connell and Kwesi Adofo-Mensah’s first offseason in positions of power in the Twin Cities when they acquired Nick Mullens from the Las Vegas Raiders. This was done in August of 2022.
Nov 5, 2023; Atlanta, Georgia, USA; Minnesota Vikings quarterback Joshua Dobbs (15) jumps over Atlanta Falcons defensive tackle Kentavius Street (75) during the second half at Mercedes-Benz Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Dale Zanine-USA TODAY Sports
This is also the route they took (kind of because they had to) after Kirk Cousins, Mullens, and Jaren Hall were all unavailable in mid-2023, leading to them calling up the Arizona Cardinals to acquire Josh Dobbs, and, of course, the Dobbsanity run ensued.
This could be the path that they choose again to get their backup signal caller. It wouldn’t be far fetched either to think that they could draft a QB later this April and acquire a veteran later in the off-season. Although, to be fair, that situation was a touch different, seeing as Kirk Cousins only had but so many years left, and the Vikings could take a free dart throw on the quarterback of the future in the late rounds of the draft.
So, who is out there currently under contract with another team for the Vikings to target?
Seattle Seahawks QB Sam Howell
Dec 15, 2024; Seattle, Washington, USA; Green Bay Packers defensive tackle Kenny Clark (97) pressures Seattle Seahawks quarterback Sam Howell (6) during the fourth quarter at Lumen Field. Mandatory Credit: Joe Nicholson-Imagn Images
Howell is currently sandwiched in the Seattle QB room between former Vikings QBs Sam Darnold and the aforementioned Jaren Hall. He was acquired by the Seahawks in the 2024 off-season from the Washington Commanders, who drafted Howell with the 144th selection (5th round) in the 2022 NFL Draft.
Howell actually started all 17 games in 2023 for Washington, where he threw 21 TDs and 21 INTs, along with 3,946 yards and a 63.4% completion percentage.
Imagining his gunslinger mentality under Kevin O’Connell is intriguing, and it would probably go a little bit like Sam Darnold’s 2024 season.
Houston Texans QB Davis Mills
Aug 10, 2023; Foxborough, Massachusetts, USA; Houston Texans quarterback Davis Mills (10) reacts after a touchdown against the New England Patriots during the first half at Gillette Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Brian Fluharty-USA TODAY Sports
Mills was a 3rd round selection by the Texans in the 2021 NFL Draft out of Stanford, and he was about as good as a mid-round QB can be with the lackluster supporting cast he was given during his first few years in Houston before they drafted C.J. Stroud in 2023.
Mills has thrown for a career 35 TDs, 25 INTs, 6,167 passing yards, and a 62.6% completion percentage.
Los Angeles Chargers QB Taylor Heinicke
NFL: Minnesota Vikings at Atlanta Falcons
Nov 5, 2023; Atlanta, Georgia, USA; Atlanta Falcons quarterback Taylor Heinicke (4) dives for yardage behind Minnesota Vikings linebacker Danielle Hunter (99) during the second half at Mercedes-Benz Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Dale Zanine-USA TODAY Sports
Vikings fans know Taylor Heinicke very well, as Minnesota was where he was given his first NFL opportunity back in 2015 as a UDFA. He is the story of NFL folklore when he almost beat Tom Brady in a 2020 Wild Card round matchup against Brady’s Buccaneers.
He’s known for being the underdog and certainly can provide a spark, but his ball security concerns limit his ceiling to being a journeyman backup QB option. Since his time in Minnesota ended in 2017, he has spent time with the Patriots, Texans, Panthers, St. Louis Battlehawks (UFL), Commanders, Falcons, and currently backs up Justin Herbert on the Chargers.
