The Minnesota Vikings are publicly ready to entertain options other than JJ McCarthy as their starting quarterback in 2026, but his future is in an even worse place privately within the organization.
That is according to Matthew Berry of NBC Sports, who spoke about the rumors he’s been hearing over the course of the last week at the NFL Combine in Indianapolis.
"As for Minnesota, I've heard a bunch of different things," Berry said. "Heard some people say like, ‘They're kind of interested in seeing about Geno [Smith] if he gets released.' I've heard maybe a reunion with Kirk Cousins. One name that I've heard that I know they're not super interested in, and that's JJ McCarthy.”
“They're gonna continue to coach him up, but I'd be surprised if there is not serious competition for JJ McCarthy next year as the starting quarterback for the Vikings,” Berry added.
Cameron Wolfe of NFL Network reported that Minnesota and Indianapolis Colts quarterback Anthony Richardson, who that team granted permission to seek a trade earlier this week, share mutual interest in joining forces in 2026.
"[A total of] $5.3 million is what Anthony Richardson is owed this year," Mike Florio of Pro Football Talk said Friday. "Richardson and JJ McCarthy would have a true competition, and I don't know who would win."
As for Smith and Cousins, they are shorter-term solutions if a trade for Richardson in Minnesota ends up unfeasible for whatever reason. Atlanta has already announced its intention to release Cousins on March 11, while Smith is a strong cut candidate in the coming days.
The Vikings could ink either Cousins or Smith for the veteran’s league minimum of $1.3 million, as they would each be getting paid significantly by their former teams to play elsewhere during the 2026 season if they end up released.
2026 NEWSWEEK DIGITAL LLC.
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