5 Quarterbacks the MN Vikings Should Dump Sam Howell For

The Minnesota Vikings deemed Sam Darnold too pricey this offseason. His primary backup in 2024, Daniel Jones, found a better opportunity that offered starting potential with the Indianapolis Colts.

That left GM Kwesi Adofo-Mensah and QB whispering head coach Kevin O’Connell hunting for a new depth quarterback in 2025, to help mentor and backup medical redshirt rookie, JJ McCarthy.

In the end, the Vikings ended up with a mix of upside and veteran experience in their QB room for training camp. Brett Rypien was brought on last year and has a pretty good understanding of KOC’s offense, at this point. But he and his general manager weren’t satisfied with the 28-year-old journeyman who hasn’t seen an active roster since 2023.

Instead, Minnesota surprised everyone during the NFL Draft when they pulled off a trade with the Seattle Seahawks that sent the 142nd overall pick out west, in exchange for 25-year-old former UNC Tar Heel Sam Howell, along with the Seahawks’ 172nd overall pick.

5 backup quarterback options for the Minnesota Vikings

Entering training camp, the Minnesota Vikings were hoping that Sam Howell would quickly grab hold of the QB2 job. Unfortunately, that is not how reality has played out.

Reports from just about every Vikings reporter who’s attended or paid attention to what’s happening at camp in Eagan have all indicated that Howell is off to an extremely rough start and could be in trouble, come cut time.

Sam Howell is not long for this roster.

— Thor Nystrom (@thorku) August 5, 2025

Dwight McGlothern picks off Sam Howell at the end of practice at Vikings Training Camp. pic.twitter.com/ZLZW3ZfodO

— Skol Geek (@SkolGeek) July 29, 2025

While more time in O’Connell’s system would certainly help, many wonder whether or not Howell is capable of holding down such an important position for a team with Super Bowl aspirations.

If the Vikings ultimately determine that they need a more capable safety valve behind their second-year rookie, who could realistically be available to KOC and Kwesi? Well, let’s dive into a handful of Minnesota’s best potential replacement solutions.

1. Kirk Cousins Returns to Mentor His Replacement

Would this be awkward? Or would Kirk Cousins and his family just be happy to return to Minnesota? Our money is on the latter. Look, Cousins knows he has no shot at ‘winning’ a starting QB job this fall. His best chance is to stay ready, knowing he’s just one snap away from another chance to let ‘er rip.

Kevin O’Connell knows what Cousins brings to the QB room. A player with an advanced level of preparation and a work ethic that could make a lasting mark on the young, impressionable J.J. McCarthy. Are there cap hurdles (Cousins has a $40 million cap hit) to figure out?

Sure, but if the goal is to ensure the quarterback room has at least two capable starters who can win a game in a pinch, then there is no better short-term solution than trading for Cousins.

2. Jameis Winston’s Big-Play Potential Lands in MN

The Vikings brought in Sam Howell, in part because they saw a player with the ceiling of a high-level passer capable of putting up big numbers. Well, Jameis Winston matches that profile to a tee, even if he doesn’t offer untapped potential like the 24-year-old Howell.

Howell led the NFL with 21 interceptions in his second season while the Washington Commanders let him cut it loose. While turnovers are never an ideal outcome, the fact that the Vikings took a chance on a player who is so prone to throwing interceptions suggests there’s a chance they may covet Winston’s cannon arm too.

Related: Jeff Okudah Hype Train Picking Up Steam at Vikings Camp

As bad as the situation is for Kirk Cousins in Atlanta, Winston has it even worse with the New York Giants. Since signing in New York, the Giants have not only anointed Russell Wilson as the starter, they also drafted QB Jaxson Dart in the first round after signing Winston. In other words, not only does he have no short-term future in New York, Dart is the long-term solution too.

That could mean Winston is on the trade block, especially since the Giants still have fan favorite Tommy DeVito on the roster as a fourth-string QB. In other words, trading for Winston likely would cost less than the Vikings spent on Howell (moving down from 142 to 172 in fifth round of 2025 NFL Draft.)

3. Carson Wentz Joins His Favorite Team

While he’s largely been forgotten about now, Carson Wentz once looked like the future of the NFL. But long before the Philadelphia Eagles sent a King’s ransom to the Cleveland Browns to select the former NDSU star with the second overall pick, Wentz grew up as a Vikings fan who idolized Brett Favre.

Wentz has since had a very unique rollercoaster NFL career as someone who was on the cusp of being an MVP candidate and now doesn’t even have a job in the middle of training camp. However, let’s not act like he’s a polished turd either. Remember, Andy Reid still wanted Wentz to be Patrick Mahomes’ backup last season.

The year before he was helping the AFC representatives reach the Super Bowl? Wentz was signed to be Matthew Stafford’s backup, where he learned Sean McVay’s system on the Rams. Basically, it shouldn’t take long for him to get up to speed in coach O’Connell’s system either, and he’s still just 32 years old, so he may still have a bit of magic in him when the chips are down.

4. Vikings Trade for Kenny Pickett

If the Vikings are hung up on the idea of having a capable backup who’s still fairly young with untapped potential, much like they thought they were getting in Howell, then why not Kenny Pickett? The former first-round pick only got 24 starts to prove what he could do before being traded to the reigning Super Bowl champion Philadelphia Eagles last offseason.

Still just 27, Pickett brings a nice mix of experience and possible untapped potential. Hmm, that sounds a bit like Sam Darnold, before the Vikings fixed him and turned him into a $100 million Pro Bowl QB.

As one of five quarterbacks competing for the Cleveland Browns’ starting job, Pickett could very well find himself on the outside looking in. A fair offer of something like a late Day 3 pick (5th-7th round) should be enough to pry him out of Cleveland.

5. Ryan Tannehill Provides A Steady Hand

This one may seem like it comes from out of left field, as Ryan Tannehill wasn’t even in the NFL last season. However, the Vikings reportedly expressed an interest in signing Tannehill this past offseason when they were seeking veteran QBs who wouldn’t require an additional investment in draft compensation or impact their compensatory pick formula.

Signing Tannehill still wouldn’t impact Minnesota’s compensatory pick outcome for the 2026 NFL Draft, and he would bring 151 starts into the QB room. That’s practically like having another coach, except the Vikings may feel the former Pro Bowl QB can still protect the ball and move the chains with efficiency on the field too.

While there are better options if the Vikings’ backup QB had to hit the field, Tannehill’s veteran experience would be invaluable for a young player like McCarthy. Yet, if there’s one thing we know about KOC, it’s that we can trust his QB plans, whatever they may be.