Kevin O'Connell, Minnesota Vikings
Getty
(Photo by Luke Hales/Getty Images)
The Minnesota Vikings QB situation continues to unfold as free agency approaches. After missing the playoffs last season, the Vikings are looking to ensure it doesn’t happen in 2026 because of the inconsistent play from their signal-caller.
Minnesota appears tobe connected to every QB who is or could be available this offseason, as the team leaves no stone unturned to improve the position. Whether it’s a QB that can challenge J.J. McCarthy or one that replaces him, it appears all options are on the table this offseason.
Amid the speculation surrounding the position, ESPN’s Vikings reporter Kevin Seifert shared an update on the team’s QB situation, especially afternews emerged this week that Kyler Murrayis expected to be released once the new league year starts.
“Last week at the [NFL Combine], the Vikings officials Rob Brzezinski and Kevin O’Connell said they were going to look at every option to improve their quarterback play,”Seifert said on a March 4 edition of SportsCenter. “If you were to sort of make a list of the quarterbacks who are likely to be available in free agency, Kyler Murray is right at or near the top of the list.
“I think most people around the league would tell you that, and a lot of people in the Vikings organization would tell you that he has the best chance of improving their quarterback play.”
Vikings Are Keeping All Options Open to Upgrade QB Position
Nonetheless, while Murray might be a top target for the Vikings, Seifert stresses that all options are on the table, including Geno Smith, should the Las Vegas Raiders decide to cut ties with him.
“It’s important to note that he is not the only quarterback that they consider in that top tier,” Seifert added. “I think if Geno Smith were to become available, if the Las Vegas Raiders were to release him, then that would also be another quarterback the Vikings would consider strongly. We’ll see who’s available next week when the market opens and how they delineate that.”
If Seifert’s information is accurate, itdoes appear that the Vikings want a QBwho has starting experience and would likely win any competition with McCarthy during training camp and preseason.
It will be interesting to see if Minnesota lands one of the QBs and what happens with McCarthy as he either steps up his game or sees someone else take the starting job.
Would Minnesota Revisit Aaron Rodgers Interest?
Moreover, Seifert shed light on the Aaron Rodgers situation with the Vikings and whether or not Minnesota intends to rekindle that interest from last offseason, or having the veteran QB get another year old stops that.
“There was definitely interest last year. I don’t think they have ruled him out. They certainly had some interest last year. Some people in the organization did. We first have to find out for sure if he’s ready to play and wants to play, and that he, if so, if he’s going to go to Pittsburgh or not. I would not consider that among the top considerations that they have right now, but it does fall in the category of not ruling anybody out.”