The Minnesota Vikings‘ 2025 NFL season is over, as the team finished with a 9-8 record and rode a five-game win streak to cap off a campaign with a winning record. Minnesota’s offseason is now underway, and the question surrounds what they will do at QB.
J.J. McCarthy finished the campaign with a passer rating of 72.6 with 1,632 yards, 11 touchdowns, and 12 interceptions in 10 games, per StatMuse. As a result, the Vikings will need to be in the quarterback market.
However, it doesn’t appear that they want to move on from McCarthy as the Vikings see him as the starter. As a result, they could pursue a more reliable backup, likely one that can stay healthy. Among the several names that will be floated in the coming weeks, leading up to the NFL free agency, CBS Sports’ Ran Carthon believes that one name Minnesota should consider is former Chicago Bears quarterback Mitchell Trubisky.
“I’m looking at this more so as a bridge quarterback, guys that have played that can also be there to help with the maturation of J.J. McCarthy,” Carthon said in a video posted by CBS Sports on Jan. 4. “The other name I had was Mitchell Trubisky. He’s been a backup. He’s been in Buffalo for the last couple of years in the room with Josh Allen.
“I just had him again a cheaper option, a veteran backup and we’ve named Kevin O’Connell the quarterback whisperer because we’ve seen the work he’s been able to do with other guys. Not saying that he’s going to work his magic with Trubisky, but more so to help with J.J. McCarthy in that room.”
Insider Reveals Vikings’ Plan at QB This Offseason
Meanwhile, on Jan. 3, The Athletic’s Dianna Russini reported what the Vikings intend to do at QB this offseason as the team looks to bounce back in 2026.
“Quarterback J.J. McCarthy will return to the Minnesota Vikings next season, but that doesn’t guarantee he’ll be the starter,” Russini wrote.
“The Vikings were looking for emphatic proof this season that he’s the long-term answer, and because of a series of injuries, they never got it. Over the next few months, sources say, Minnesota plans to explore established options via trade or free agency to strengthen its quarterback room.”
J.J. McCarthy Talks Being Vikings Starting QB in 2026
It was a challenging first season as the Vikings’ starting QB for McCarthy. The Michigan product dealt with inconsistent performances, which is expected given he didn’t play at all in his rookie season, and injuries.
Following the victory against Green Bay, McCarthy addressed questions from reporters about his case to remain Minnesota’s starting quarterback next season, as speculation continues that the Vikings may look elsewhere at the position during the offseason.
“After today, maybe,” McCarthy told reporters postgame. “Tomorrow, there’s nothing promised. The next day, there’s nothing promised. That’s something I take very seriously. It’s not something that you buy, and you get for the rest of your life. You rent it, you lease it every single day. I’m just trying to make daily deposits to make sure I’m in this house for a long time.”
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