MN Vikings Like Their Current Backup QB More Than Most Realize

Aaron Rodgers may not want to hear this, but barring any unforeseen circumstances unfolding over the next handful of months, J.J. McCarthy is going to be the Minnesota Vikings starting quarterback to open the 2025 season.

The 2024 first round pick still has to prove he’s ready, but that can’t happen until bodies start flying. Nonetheless, head coach (and QB whisperer) Kevin O’Connell seems confident that McCarthy is ready for QB1 duties. How confident? Actions speak louder than words and the Vikings’ actions speak mimic what they’re saying.

Minnesota Vikings seem uninterested in adding at quarterback

KOC is confident enough in last year’s No. 10 overall pick that he let Sam Darnold walk, when he would have returned to Minnesota on a relatively inexpensive and short-term deal for an MVP-caliber QB.

Then, they let the entire 2025 QB free agency class sign elsewhere, including Daniel Jones, who chose to sign with the Colts, in large part because he didn’t feel like he stood a chance in a QB competition vs JJ McCarthy.

Hell, Aaron Rodgers is still believed to be waiting for the Vikings to look his way. Same can be said for Kirk Cousins, who would reportedly love to land back in Minnesota, even if it means toting a “backup” label, upon arrival.

But instead of jumping on one of the top QB free agents or trading for a veteran who can provide more peace of mind entering the offseason, the Vikings have intentionally ignored what seems like an obvious need, choosing instead to walk into draft week with two unproven quarterbacks on roster.

Other than the aforementioned 22-year-[86-day]-old 1st round pick — who missed all of his rookie season after season-ending knee surgery — the Minnesota Vikings have 28-year-old former undrafted free agent out of Boise State, Brett Rypien, who has impressed in Eagan since first signing last August, after he missed the final training camp cut in Chicago.

From what @Andrew_Krammer has “heard behind the scenes” is that it’s “not a shoe in” that Nick Mullens is QB2 and that the #Vikings are really “impressed” with what Brett Rypien has done that “he’s made them think and consider about their [QB] pecking order”.

Krammer noted that… pic.twitter.com/gTf9rwWhhN

— The Purple Persuasion (@TPPSkol) December 6, 2024

So, what gives? Why do the Vikings seem so uninterested in adding talent at QB so far this offseason? Well, there are a few reasons. First, they want to maximize their return in the 2026 comp pick formula.

General manager Kwesi Adofo-Mensah and his front office believe they could get as many as three additional selections in next year’s draft, as things currently stand. Picking up a free agent QB could negatively impact that formula.

Paul Allen: Vikings really like Brett Rypien…

But according to radio voice of the Minnesota Vikings (and KFAN Radio morning talk show host) Paul Allen, the organization’s approach to this offseason’s QB market goes beyond comp pick strategy and their belief in JJ McCarthy.

In the final seconds of the opening hour of his show on Tuesday, PA told his producer, Eric Nordquist — along with millions of loyal listeners — that the Vikings like Brett Rypien “more than I think people would imagine”.

“I understand when people have the flippant, but out of nowhere opinion, ‘Brett Rypien are you kidding me?’ I understand that, because Brett hasn’t done much — if hardly anything — in the NFL.

But as I’ve shared before, without oversharing… they like him. They like him a lot. That doesn’t mean he’ll be the backup, like the 1A to McCarthy. I still do believe they’ll find a veteran backup. But, they like Rypien more than I think people would imagine.”

Paul Allen – KFAN

Rypien has 10 games (4 starts) of NFL experience. He last played with the Los Angeles Rams during the 2023 season. Brett’s 58.2% completion rate leaves plenty to be desired, as does his career 4/9 TD/INT ratio and underwhelming 950 total passing yards.

Ultimately, Allen expects the Minnesota Vikings to sign a different, more reliable, backup quarterback to sit behind, mentor and provide insurance for their young, unproven starter. But that doesn’t mean their belief in Rypien hasn’t factored into their laissez-faire approach to addressing QB so far this offseason.

MN Vikings running out of veteran QB options beyond Brett Rypien…

At this point, free agency is pretty bone-dry, after Joe Flacco signed with Cleveland. Ryan Tannehill, Carson Wentz, C.J. Beathard, and Teddy Bridgewater are the best remaining free agent options available, outside of Aaron Rodgers. Otherwise, they could look to the trade market, which feels more and more likely with every day that goes by.

Related: Pressure is on JJ McCarthy to Perform Starting Next Week

Ultimately, the Vikings will continue to tweak their roster for the next six months, all the way up until the start of the regular season in September. Still, until they name a starting quarterback and we see JJ McCarthy take the field, throw a pass, take a hit, etc… serious questions will remain surrounding this team’s ceiling for 2025.