Last week, former Vikings passer and fan favorite Case Keenum signed with the division rivals Chicago Bears. He was not the first, and it turned out, not the last veteran to choose a different team. The list of options for the purple team is dwindling.
Vikings’ QB Dilemma Grows – 2 Guys Sign Elsewhere.
On Friday morning, Joe Flacco agreed to terms with the Cleveland Browns, the club he guided to the postseason in 2023. It’s the pretty standard backup deal, one-year, $4 million, but his salary can rise to $13 million via incentives.
Aug 24, 2024; Green Bay, Wisconsin, USA; Baltimore Ravens quarterback Josh Johnson (17) throws a pass during the first quarter against the Green Bay Packers at Lambeau Field. Mandatory Credit: Jeff Hanisch-USA TODAY Sports
Not only did Flacco find a new employer, but so did fellow veteran Josh Johnson. No other signal-caller deserves the label “journeyman” quite like he does.
ESPN’s John Keim declared on social media, “Washington is signing QB Josh Johnson to a one-year deal, per source. Johnson started three games for Washington in 2018. He played two games in 2022 with San Francisco when Washington GM Adam Peters was then an assistant GM.”
He will turn 39 next month, so it will be hard to complete the entire NFL journey, but he has come quite close to being employed by all 32 NFL teams at some point in his career.
Johnson has already crossed off the Buccaneers (2008-2011), 49ers (2012; 2014; 2022), Browns (2012), Bengals (2013; 2015), Jets (2015; 2021), Colts (2015), Bills (2015), Ravens (2016; 2021; 2023-2024), Giants (2016), Texans (2017), Raiders (2018), Washington (2018; 2025), Lions (2019), and Broncos (2022).
Feb 16, 2020; Carson, California, USA; LA Wildcats quarterback Josh Johnson (8) prepares to take the snap in the second half against the Dallas Renegades Dignity Health Sports Park. The Renegades defeated the Wildcats 25-18. Mandatory Credit: Kirby Lee-USA TODAY Sports
In addition to that, he played in various other leagues like the XFL, AAF, and the PFL. He has started nine games in his NFL career and appeared in 45 contests.
That resume is pretty crazy, but it could’ve brought more experience to a quarterback room with J.J. McCarthy, who has never thrown a pass in the NFL, and Brett Rypien, a depth player with more career INTs than TDs.
Sam Darnold signed with the Seahawks as their starter, Nick Mullens joined the Jaguars to back up Trevor Lawrence, and Daniel Jones preferred to compete with Anthony Richardson in Indianapolis.
Who’s Available?
The most prominent name on the free agency market is Ryan Tannehill. He captained the Titans deep into the playoffs and to the first seed in Patrick Mahomes’ AFC in this decade but hasn’t played a game of football since the 2023 season.
Dec 29, 2024; Cleveland, Ohio, USA; Miami Dolphins quarterback Tyler Huntley (18) tries to elude Cleveland Browns defensive end Isaiah McGuire (57) during the second half at Huntington Bank Field. Mandatory Credit: Ken Blaze-Imagn Images
Tyler Huntley (for some reason) went to the Pro Bowl in 2022 and has started 14 games in his career, most recently with the Dolphins. He might be the most underrated candidate.
Of course, Carson Wentz, a former MVP candidate, has bounced around. The fact that neither Andy Reid nor Sean McVay retained him after the last two seasons is concerning, but there once was a lot of promise. Drew Lock couldn’t surpass Tommy DeVito last year, but he also brings starting experience.
Other free agents include Easton Stick, C.J. Beathard, Jeff Driskel, and Desmond Ridder.
Why the Wait?
The Vikings have made a strong effort to gain as many compensatory picks as possible this offseason. Minnesota will benefit from the comp picks on draft day this year. Kirk Cousins’ departure handed them the 97th overall pick.
Feb 25, 2025; Indianapolis, IN, USA; Minnesota Vikings general manager Kwesi Adofo-Mensah speaks during the NFL Scouting Combine at the Indiana Convention Center. Mandatory Credit: Kirby Lee-Imagn Images
Next year, they are projected to get another third-rounder for Darnold’s exit and another fourth or fifth-rounder for either Cam Robinson or Daniel Jones signing elsewhere. Kevin O’Connell also mentioned the possibility of a third compensatory pick. Signing another compensatory free agent ahead of the draft would jeopardize those plans and erase one of them.
Other Options?
If the club isn’t happy with the free agents, a trade could be another solution. The Raiders could be willing to say goodbye to Aidan O’Connell. Kirk Cousins has appeared in the rumor mill, but would he really return as a backup, which would be a lateral move? Tennessee’s Will Levis has also been linked to the Vikings, but his franchise has recently shut those rumors down.
Sep 8, 2024; East Rutherford, New Jersey, USA; Minnesota Vikings quarterback Brett Rypien (19) warms up before the game against the New York Giants at MetLife Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Vincent Carchietta-Imagn Images
Another way to bring a passer to the Twin Cities will begin on April 24th with the annual NFL Draft. Adding a quarterback on day three always makes sense, but with only four picks, this might not be the year. Golden Gopher Max Brosmer recently visited the Vikings.
Finally, QB3 Brett Rypien could get promoted to QB2. His resume shows four TDs and nine INTs in his NFL career, so this would hardly be a reasonable backup plan if McCarthy was forced to miss time. However, he has drawn too much praise from the decision-makers to disregard the possibility.
