Last week, the Minnesota Vikings were forced to make a quarterback change after Carson Wentz suffered a season-ending shoulder injury, which requires surgery. With Wentz out of the picture, it means J.J. McCarthy is the unquestioned starter for the rest of the season. Undrafted rookie Max Brosmer was the only other QB in the organization until the team added John Wolford to the Vikings’ practice squad.
Yet, a backup stable comprised of an inexperienced Brosmer and Wolford may not give the Vikings complete confidence in their QB room. They may still want to trade for a veteran upgrade to back up McCarthy.
According to ESPN’s NFL insider Adam Schefter, the Vikings “could still make a move” for a QB before Tuesday’s deadline.
“Kirk Cousins would make sense, but the Falcons haven’t shown any willingness to trade him and Atlanta needs an experienced veteran backup of its own. The Giants have two experienced backups in Russell Wilson and Jameis Winston. League sources believe Minnesota still could make a move for a quarterback by Tuesday’s deadline.”
ESPN’s Adam Schefter on Vikings QB trade
Cousins has requested a trade, but he may be a bit too high-profile for the Vikings to acquire as a backup to McCarthy. After all, at the first sign of struggle, fans would likely be calling for McCarthy to be replaced by the four-time Pro Bowler.
Then again, the same could be said for acquiring someone like Russell Wilson. However, Jameis Winston could be the perfect target for the Vikings to acquire, being that he’s already used to being a backup, and because he’s signed through next season too.
Winston would certainly bring more experience to the Vikings’ QB room, and like Wentz, the former No. 1 overall pick would be a capable fill-in if McCarthy did get hurt again.
Related: Seattle Seahawks’ Pro Bowler Drawing Trade Interest
Sports fan since birth. I am also passionate about cars, music, and anything funny. Minnesotan, born and raised. Maybe … More about Andrew Buller-Russ