All Things 2026 Minnesota Vikings Off-Season Thread

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Cousins and Geno? Excuse me while I step outside to throw up.

Tom Pelissero Names 4 QBs the Vikings Are Considering​

This is not a secret: the Minnesota Vikings will onboard a new quarterback this offseason, either to support J.J. McCarthy as a veteran backup or compete for his job at training camp. And thanks to NFL Network‘s Tom Pelissero, an early list is reportedly on the table, including Kirk Cousins, Mac Jones, Kyler Murray, and Geno Smith.

Pelissero’s list puts Cousins, Jones, Murray, and Smith in the Vikings’ orbit as Minnesota weighs its big quarterback decision.

It’s not a list from heaven, but Minnesota could do much worse.

vikingsterritory.com

Tom Pelissero Names 4 QBs the Vikings Are Considering

Tom Pelissero name-dropped four QBs tied to the Vikings’ offseason plans, framing Minnesota’s options around J.J. McCarthy and urgency.
vikingsterritory.com vikingsterritory.com
 

If KOC really is the QB whisperer that people think he is (I'm skeptical of the title), you should be intrigued by the thought of him getting to work with someone with Kyler Murray's talent level. I say if the salary cap math can work, make it happen. See what he can do outside of that dreadful franchise in Arizona.
 

Gophers1992 said:
If KOC really is the QB whisperer that people think he is (I'm skeptical of the title), you should be intrigued by the thought of him getting to work with someone with Kyler Murray's talent level. I say if the salary cap math can work, make it happen. See what he can do outside of that dreadful franchise in Arizona.
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Murray's biggest problem is the same as McCarthy's...I don't trust him to stay healthy.
 

howeda7 said:
Murray's biggest problem is the same as McCarthy's...I don't trust him to stay healthy.
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No doubt that's a concern. That said the big differentiator between the two is that Murray when healthy can be a competent to very good QB where that is not the case with 9.
 




Slim Tubby said:
Cousins and Geno? Excuse me while I step outside to throw up.

Tom Pelissero Names 4 QBs the Vikings Are Considering​

This is not a secret: the Minnesota Vikings will onboard a new quarterback this offseason, either to support J.J. McCarthy as a veteran backup or compete for his job at training camp. And thanks to NFL Network‘s Tom Pelissero, an early list is reportedly on the table, including Kirk Cousins, Mac Jones, Kyler Murray, and Geno Smith.

Pelissero’s list puts Cousins, Jones, Murray, and Smith in the Vikings’ orbit as Minnesota weighs its big quarterback decision.
Click to expand...
Gophers1992 said:
If KOC really is the QB whisperer that people think he is (I'm skeptical of the title), you should be intrigued by the thought of him getting to work with someone with Kyler Murray's talent level. I say if the salary cap math can work, make it happen. See what he can do outside of that dreadful franchise in Arizona.
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howeda7 said:
Murray's biggest problem is the same as McCarthy's...I don't trust him to stay healthy.
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Murray is infinitely better at avoiding big hits than JJM. Not even close. I don't know that any of Murray's injuries have been from getting whacked, unlike JJM. I wouldn't hate it, if the Cardinals ate a reasonable amount of the contract.

I don't think Mac Jones is leaving the 49ers. He's technically under contract, but a small one. The 49ers won't let him go if they can avoid it.

Geno Smith? Hell to-the-f*ck-NO. Holds the ball forever, doesn't really push the ball down the field, takes terrible sacks. Just a dumpster fire. And technically he's still under contract as well but they'll probably cut him if they can't trade him.

I think Cousins could be a very real possibility. It's the perfect spot for him, and he would fit exactly the type that the Vikings SHOULD be looking for; the guy the Vikings bring in probably has to have the ability to start more than just 2026.

A. Rodgers would not be out of the realm of possibility, although doubtful

Tua could be on the table and really, as much as I am NOT a fan of Tua being your franchise QB, I could see him doing well in the KOC offense.

I entertained the idea of Derek Carr initially, but heard a good discussion on him that killed that. I think he fits what the Vikings would be looking for in terms of a guy that COULD start for more than a year but then I remembered: Carr absolutely does NOT push the ball down the field and that is one thing KOC wants his QB to do. It was one of the things he didn't like about Cousins but Cousins isn't anywhere near as bad as Carrr in this regard.

IF he finds the right spot, the right offense, I don't think Carr would be a terrible idea for one of the QB needy teams; maybe someone that drafts a QB like Ty Simpson who really needs to sit. But Carr would not be a good fit for the KOC offense I don't think
 

Slim Tubby said:
Cousins and Geno? Excuse me while I step outside to throw up.

Tom Pelissero Names 4 QBs the Vikings Are Considering​

This is not a secret: the Minnesota Vikings will onboard a new quarterback this offseason, either to support J.J. McCarthy as a veteran backup or compete for his job at training camp. And thanks to NFL Network‘s Tom Pelissero, an early list is reportedly on the table, including Kirk Cousins, Mac Jones, Kyler Murray, and Geno Smith.

Pelissero’s list puts Cousins, Jones, Murray, and Smith in the Vikings’ orbit as Minnesota weighs its big quarterback decision.

It’s not a list from heaven, but Minnesota could do much worse.

vikingsterritory.com

Tom Pelissero Names 4 QBs the Vikings Are Considering

Tom Pelissero name-dropped four QBs tied to the Vikings’ offseason plans, framing Minnesota’s options around J.J. McCarthy and urgency.
vikingsterritory.com vikingsterritory.com
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Last spring and summer I read over and over and over that JJ McCarthy was great.
 



Ogie Ogilthorpe said:
I entertained the idea of Derek Carr initially, but heard a good discussion on him that killed that. I think he fits what the Vikings would be looking for in terms of a guy that COULD start for more than a year but then I remembered: Carr absolutely does NOT push the ball down the field and that is one thing KOC wants his QB to do. It was one of the things he didn't like about Cousins but Cousins isn't anywhere near as bad as Carrr in this regard.

IF he finds the right spot, the right offense, I don't think Carr would be a terrible idea for one of the QB needy teams; maybe someone that drafts a QB like Ty Simpson who really needs to sit. But Carr would not be a good fit for the KOC offense I don't think
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I listened to a little bit of the Carr brothers podcast, to hear it from the horse's mouth. Carr said he's in great shape and basically; "Would I come back to play? Absolutely. Would I do it for anybody? Absolutely not." It sounds like he's already said NO to a few people that have called already, but no clue on WHEN those calls were because I think he was asked during last season by at least one team.

Very, very high character guy, would be great in the locker room, still not sure he's a great fit for the KOC offense because Derek Carr is the check-down king. He really struggled to push the ball down the field. The other question (he didn't address at all on the pod) is his health. He did leave with a torn labrum and pretty significant rotator cuff damage. How that's healed up would be a question
 

Ogie Ogilthorpe said:
I listened to a little bit of the Carr brothers podcast, to hear it from the horse's mouth. Carr said he's in great shape and basically; "Would I come back to play? Absolutely. Would I do it for anybody? Absolutely not." It sounds like he's already said NO to a few people that have called already, but no clue on WHEN those calls were because I think he was asked during last season by at least one team.

Very, very high character guy, would be great in the locker room, still not sure he's a great fit for the KOC offense because Derek Carr is the check-down king. He really struggled to push the ball down the field. The other question (he didn't address at all on the pod) is his health. He did leave with a torn labrum and pretty significant rotator cuff damage. How that's healed up would be a question
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Zero interest in Carr unless he's coming in on a minimum deal to take the place of Brosmer and mentor JJM and we're still getting someone younger with better health history who can start. I share your feelings that, especially with his share of injuries, he can't throw those deep crossing routes KOC calls continually with enough velocity to be effective
 


Gophers1992 said:
If KOC really is the QB whisperer that people think he is (I'm skeptical of the title), you should be intrigued by the thought of him getting to work with someone with Kyler Murray's talent level. I say if the salary cap math can work, make it happen. See what he can do outside of that dreadful franchise in Arizona.
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SB here we come 🤠
 



upnorthkid said:
Zero interest in Carr unless he's coming in on a minimum deal to take the place of Brosmer and mentor JJM and we're still getting someone younger with better health history who can start. I share your feelings that, especially with his share of injuries, he can't throw those deep crossing routes KOC calls continually with enough velocity to be effective
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An article in The Athletic said Carr would be in line for the same type of deal Rodgers got last season, $14.5M IIRC.
 



I want to say my previous opinion of this Kleiman dude is that he's largely a clown but who knows... It's Vikings-related so I thought I would post. It's February....

 

everyone who plays QB has interest in playing for the Vikings lol. Same as all the rookie QBs in Mccarthy's class thought MN was the best landing spot. Thank you for this breaking information Mackey and Kleiman.

We are officially in the absolute doldrums of offseason ha
 


Team needs between Free Agency and the draft?
FA=QB, NT-in a 3-4 defense they are 330+ lbs, Safety.
Draft=CB, C, pass catching TE, Safety, RB.

Strongest team positions:
Rush End with Greenard, Van Ginkle, and Dallas Turner.
LB if we resign Wilson. We also have Cashman and Pace.
WR if Addison is staying and we sign Nailor.
3-4 Defensive Ends: Redmond, Allen, Hargrave, Rodriquez. If we got a real nose we are deep here.

Thoughts?
 

"Athletic’s Alec Lewis believes Mac Jones “checks more boxes for what the Vikings are looking for” than the other potentially available quarterbacks.

Yes, we are again banging the drum that the 49ers may get an offer they can’t refuse for Jones, who has only $1 million in guaranteed salary in 2026 and could be a major upgrade for the Vikings over J.J. McCarthy. Lewis believes the 49ers will “drive a hard bargain” for Jones.

As has been rumored for a bit, it would likely take a Day 2 pick for the 49ers to move on from Jones, and perhaps a second-rounder rather than a third-rounder."
 

"The Athletic’s Alec Lewis reports the Vikings “removed most of [their] over-the-middle passing concepts throughout the season” to keep J.J. McCarthy’s line of sight “simple.”

The depths of the McCarthy struggles last year were obvious, but the fact that the Vikings didn’t even trust him to do some fairly remedial work adds another layer to just how fractured this offense was. It’s almost impossible to imagine McCarthy winning a starting job against whoever the Vikings bring in this offseason.

In fact, with Kwesi Adofo-Mensah fired, it’s probably not far-fetched to suggest that McCarthy could be available in a trade if another team still believes in him. If he stays in Minnesota, McCarthy is an easy fantasy football fade in 2026."
 

Slim Tubby said:
"The Athletic’s Alec Lewis reports the Vikings “removed most of [their] over-the-middle passing concepts throughout the season” to keep J.J. McCarthy’s line of sight “simple.”

The depths of the McCarthy struggles last year were obvious, but the fact that the Vikings didn’t even trust him to do some fairly remedial work adds another layer to just how fractured this offense was. It’s almost impossible to imagine McCarthy winning a starting job against whoever the Vikings bring in this offseason.

In fact, with Kwesi Adofo-Mensah fired, it’s probably not far-fetched to suggest that McCarthy could be available in a trade if another team still believes in him. If he stays in Minnesota, McCarthy is an easy fantasy football fade in 2026."
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Behind that O-Line, I have no doubt that the Vikings had to change a very significant portion of their offense last season, no doubt at all. It was a frickin' mess.

We'll see how KOC feels about JJM in the next few weeks I would guess. If we're being at least a little bit honest, he finished the season pretty strong. And he still has played a whopping 10 NFL games if I'm not mistaken.

The 49ers are not letting Mac Jones go. I just don't see it. The only way they let Jones go is two-fold; if they get blown away with a trade offer (that AIN'T going to be a 3rd round pick, it would have to be more in return) and if they have identified another reclamation project that is available that they could bring along for their backup. I just don't see them letting Jones leave. I could be wrong, but I don't see it.

Kyler Murray brings on a whole new set of challenges; most notably, if I'm not mistaken, if you're bringing in Murray, you're committing to him for the next 2 years. That's not nothing, and his contract certainly isn't nothing. A 2-yr commitment to a high-priced backup where there's no guarantee he's even beating out JJM is a massive price to pay. Murray is better suited for teams like the Jets and the Dolphins
 

Ogie Ogilthorpe said:
Behind that O-Line, I have no doubt that the Vikings had to change a very significant portion of their offense last season, no doubt at all. It was a frickin' mess.

We'll see how KOC feels about JJM in the next few weeks I would guess. If we're being at least a little bit honest, he finished the season pretty strong. And he still has played a whopping 10 NFL games if I'm not mistaken.

The 49ers are not letting Mac Jones go. I just don't see it. The only way they let Jones go is two-fold; if they get blown away with a trade offer (that AIN'T going to be a 3rd round pick, it would have to be more in return) and if they have identified another reclamation project that is available that they could bring along for their backup. I just don't see them letting Jones leave. I could be wrong, but I don't see it.

Kyler Murray brings on a whole new set of challenges; most notably, if I'm not mistaken, if you're bringing in Murray, you're committing to him for the next 2 years. That's not nothing, and his contract certainly isn't nothing. A 2-yr commitment to a high-priced backup where there's no guarantee he's even beating out JJM is a massive price to pay. Murray is better suited for teams like the Jets and the Dolphins
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The 49ers are just jacking up the price. But if the price is a 1st round pick, hard pass. I don't really think he's any better than McCarthy just likely more durable.
 

howeda7 said:
The 49ers are just jacking up the price. But if the price is a 1st round pick, hard pass. I don't really think he's any better than McCarthy just likely more durable.
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Hard pass even at a third rounder.
 

GFBfan said:
Hard pass even at a third rounder.
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I'm with Ogie on this one. Mac Jones is only a $1M cap hit for SF next year and Purdy has shown a propensity for getting injured. With a roster ready to compete now, I think SF would be foolish to trade away their cheap QB security blanket unless someone offers them a FRP.

I'm fine with rolling the dice on Murray considering JJM is still on his Rookie deal. I wouldn't trade much more than a 4-5 Round Pick depending how much of his salary ARI is willing to eat.

I think Malik Willis ends up in ARI and after Mendoza, this QB draft class appears to absolute garbage compared to most.
 

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