Vikings’ Bold Backup Plan: Could a Trade Bring Super Bowl Insurance Behind J.J. McCarthy?”
The Minnesota Vikings believe they can make a Super Bowl run in 2025—if they get solid quarterback play.
Head coach Kevin O’Connell enters his fourth season with more confidence than ever, putting everything on second-year QB J.J. McCarthy, who has yet to take a single regular-season NFL snap.
Rolling the dice on a 22-year-old rookie is a major gamble, but O’Connell has proven he’s not afraid of bold moves. After all, he led the Rams’ offense to a title in 2021 and guided Minnesota to the playoffs twice—once with an aging Kirk Cousins (2022) and again with a revived Sam Darnold in 2024.
Still, going all-in on McCarthy without a reliable veteran behind him is risky business. Sam Howell currently sits as QB2, but his 5-13 career record and negative touchdown-to-interception ratio (22-23) don’t exactly inspire confidence. Behind him are Brett Rypien and undrafted rookie Max Brosmer.
Minnesota has a financial edge with McCarthy’s rookie deal, but that only works if he stays healthy and delivers on his first-round billing. If not, the Vikings need a stronger safety net. Options could include signing a free agent like Carson Wentz or trading for a veteran such as Joe Flacco, who’s battling for a roster spot in Cleveland.
And then there’s Kirk Cousins. The former Viking is now in Atlanta, sitting as QB2 and carrying a $27.5 million salary. Reports suggest the Falcons would move him if the right deal comes along, and Minnesota could be a perfect landing spot if Howell struggles in camp.
According to Bleacher Report’s Matt Holder, the Falcons should trade Cousins as soon as possible if he’s not starting. Minnesota could likely get him for a Day-3 pick and around $10 million of his 2025 salary—a move that wouldn’t destroy their cap advantage but would provide essential veteran insurance for a season with real Super Bowl aspirations.