Now working through the concussion protocol and unlikely to play on Sunday against the Seattle Seahawks, it’s the Max Brosmer show. Short of the former Minnesota Gophers quarterback playing lights out, a new direction will probably will be needed next year.

That new direction might just wind up being a chance to right the wrong of their 2025 offseason.

Daniel Jones on the Vikings radar

Last season, the Minnesota Vikings brought Daniel Jones in after he was cut loose by the New York Giants. He learned a ton, and after the year the team wanted him back. He wasn’t going to start though, and that made his decision easy. ESPN’s Jeremy Fowler says that Minnesota might be looking to reverse course in 2026.

A few people inside the league I’ve spoken to wonder whether Minnesota can follow the Colts’ blueprint from this past offseason, bringing in a veteran/reclamation project to compete with McCarthy and potentially start — similar to Daniel Jones vs. Anthony Richardson Sr. in Indy.

The funny thing about that scenario is Jones would be an ideal fit in Minnesota, where he backed up Sam Darnold last season. But as the top free agent quarterback, he will score a sizable deal in Indianapolis or elsewhere. Still, the Vikings really liked Jones, and their situation this offseason will be far different than the one from a year ago. Making a play for Jones would give him multiple options to consider.

Jeremy Fowler – ESPN

Rather than being 4-7, the Minnesota Vikings could have been a competitive team had they simply told Jones he was going to be the guy. In that scenario, McCarthy would have needed to beat out a veteran after spending his entire rookie season injured while getting zero reps.

It always seemed logical that Jones could thrive in an ideal environment, which is what Minnesota presented for 14-game winner Sam Darnold. Now in a good environment, Jones has the Colts owning an 8-3 record with a 69.1 completion rate and a 17/7 TD/INT.

Minnesota got cute thinking they had the perfect plan for McCarthy, while both quarterbacks they already employed were more perfect answers for them. Darnold’s payday didn’t need to be met, but Jones was definitely the right answer. Maybe they’ll fix the problem next season.

Not just Jones or bust for Minnesota Vikings

The Vikings spent a boatload of money this offseason. The intention was for the roster to win immediately. Unfortunately the problem was that McCarthy was never positioned to get them there. Fowler sees other stopgap quarterbacks capable of stopping a long term rebuild too.

Rodgers wanted to be a Viking last year and will also be a free agent, and the Vikings kept tabs on Joe Flacco’s free agency last spring, and he has been effective for multiple teams in recent years. He could be a sensible fallback plan. Arizona’s Kyler Murray could become available should the Cardinals decide to start fresh at the position, too. His chances to play again this season are seemingly becoming slimmer by the week.

Jeremy Fowler – ESPN

It’d be disappointing to see the answer be Joe Flacco, even though he’s currently unquestionably better than McCarthy despite battling Father Time. Aaron Rodgers tried to will his way into purple, and that could be a reality next year again. Kyler Murray would be among the most expensive options, but he too is a step up.

Regardless, Kevin O’Connell took a hit to his reputation this season by tying his wagon to a quarterback he couldn’t elevate. There won’t be much of an appetite to miss again.

While the Vikings were much busier during the early stages of free agency, than they will be during the draft, there is still one glaring spot on Minnesota’s depth chart that cannot be filled through the draft, and that is a veteran QB to pair with JJ McCarthy in 2025.

Knowing how quickly QB1s and QB2s fly off the board in free agency, it felt like quarterback would be one of the first signings of the Vikings’ 2025 class. But that’s not the way reality has played out, thanks to the Aaron Rodgers waiting game (which is still ongoing), along with a bloated number of available veteran quarterbacks.

Another veteran QB — Joe Flacco — falls off the free agent board

That was before Friday morning, when possibly the best QB2 on the market from the very beginning, 40-year-old Joe Flacco, signed with former Vikings OC Kevin Stefanski and the Cleveland Browns. Flacco — who won NFL Comeback Player of the Year in Cleveland, under Stefanski, in 2023 — chose the Browns over the Vikings and Steelers, per Adam Schefter.

Reunion: the Cleveland Browns and veteran quarterback Joe Flacco reached agreement today on a one-year, $4 million deal worth up to $13 million with incentives, his agency @JLSports3 told ESPN. Flacco now will return to Cleveland, where he won the NFL’s Comeback Player of the… pic.twitter.com/pOaCuhrVmS

— Adam Schefter (@AdamSchefter) April 11, 2025

So, here we sit on April 11, with the draft inching closer, and the Minnesota Vikings still need a veteran QB to pair with JJ McCarthy. Weren’t we led to believe that free agent quarterbacks would flock to Eagan, upon invitation, just so they could work for the the second-highest rated employer in the NFL, while having KOC whisper sweet QB nothings in their ear?

But Flacco isn’t the first veteran QB this offseason to give the Vikings and their head coach the cold shoulder… so what gives? Well, at this point, it has become very clear that those leading the MN Vikings organization are extremely comfortable with where JJ McCarthy is in his development, something that these veterans are picking up on too.

Veteran NFL quarterbacks afraid of MN Vikings QB competition vs JJ McCarthy?

Last month, Sam Darnold signed with Seattle — not because he wanted to leave Minnesota — but because neither the money nor the role being offered by the Vikings were comparable to that of the Seahawks.

Then, there’s Aaron Rodgers, who is still making the Steelers wait, while he holds out hope that the Vikings will change their minds. Right now, that seems like a pipedream. And don’t forget about Daniel Jones.

Related: Sportsbooks Not Buying the Draft Plans Vikings are Selling…

The Minnesota Vikings signed the 2019 No. 6 overall pick toward the end of 2024, after the New York Giants cut him loose. Most thought he would be the guy to push JJ McCarthy during 2025 Vikings training camp.

Instead, Jones landed in Indianapolis. Why? Because beating out Anthony Richardson for the Colts’ QB1 job felt more plausible than doing the same in Minnesota, vs McCarthy. See a pattern here?

"We know we're in a tough division, we know we have tough battles ahead, but having a young quarterback like JJ McCarthy leading us with coach O'Connells guidance gives us a lot of confidence."- Mark Wilf

My god can football season hurry up already. pic.twitter.com/DP1MjgY5FF

— The Brohioan (@TheBrohioan) April 1, 2025

While the Minnesota Vikings have not yet told McCarthy that he is their starter in 2025, they have leaked as much to media. And behind the scenes, there’s clearly something scaring these higher-end veteran quarterbacks away. That’s because, if given the option, these guys want to play. And in Minnesota, that must appear far-fetched.

So much so, that they leave their meetings with the Vikings thinking they don’t stand much of a chance at all, of winning a QB competition vs McCarthy during offseason workouts and in training camp. Either (a) JJ is already too good and/or (b) any preseason dual is likely to be rigged in his favor.

Who is left on the QB market for the Minnesota Vikings?

No doubt, the Minnesota Vikings are running out of veteran backup QB options for 2025. Right now, JJ McCarthy and Brett Rypien are the only to quarterbacks under contract. So, who’s left on the board? When it comes to free agency, the “high end” backup options are pretty much down to Ryan Tannehill, who has been linked to Minnesota for weeks.

Related: What Does Mel Kiper’s Latest Mock Tell Us About Vikings Draft Plans?

That connection became more serious the moment Daniel Jones signed in Indy and the Vikings made it clear they were out on Aaron Rodgers, who still happens to be the best QB available on the open market. Until he signs elsewhere, it’ll be impossible to completely silence the Vikings + Rodgers chatter.

Then, there are the trade options, the most intriguing of which is Kirk Cousins. He hates his life in Atlanta so much that rumor on the street is he’d embrace a backup role behind JJ McCarthy, if that was his only out. How will everything play out? Only time will tell…

But on Wednesday, the latest report from Tom Pelissero (The Athletic) put the Rodgers + Vikings rumors to bed, at least for now, tweeting out that the Vikings are no longer considering the 4X MVP as their QB for 2025… at least for now.

There’s still a belief among insiders, specifically The Athletic’s Dianna Russini, that the MN Vikings may revisit the Rodgers conversations later this offseason, if they don’t like what they see from McCarthy over the next month or two.

Veteran QBs Minnesota Vikings fans should watch…

Nonetheless, it’s at least time to look at what else is available on the QB market, now that the likelihood Rodgers wears purple is seemingly less and less. Per reports, Vikings are considering remaining free agents and possible trades. And one insider, Ben Goessling (Star Tribune) has some targets that fans should keep an eye out for.

Goessling, who grew up in Minnesota and graduated from the U of M, talked more in-depth about both quarterbacks on KFAN Radio Tuesday, and tweeted out the names on Wednesday — 40-year-old, Joe Flacco and 36-year-old, Ryan Tannehill. Ben also notes that “the comp pick formula matters here”.

Said it with @PAOnTheMic yesterday, but here’s where I’d keep my eye for #Vikings backup QB options: a veteran with a clear role like Flacco or Tannehill, or a trade. The comp pick formula matters here. They’re also excited about where J.J. McCarthy is at.

— Ben Goessling (@BenGoessling) March 19, 2025

Need a rough explanation of the “comp pick formula”? Most NFL free agents signed this time of year play into next offseason’s formula. The full details of the comp pick formula are unknown. But in essence, the comp pick formula is used to grant teams ravaged by free agency additional draft picks, to try and make up for their losses.

Related: Minnesota Vikings Out on Aaron Rodgers… For Now

The formula takes every team’s signed free agents + their lost free agents and compares them side-by-side in order to decide how many comp picks a team gets, and where they are slotted (between the back of the 3rd and 7th rounds).

What would Joe Flacco or Ryan Tannehill bring to Vikings?

Last season with the Indianapolis Colts, Joe Flacco appeared in 8 games (6 starts), passing for 1,761 yards, a 65.3% completion rate, 12 touchdowns and 7 interceptions. The 2023 Comeback Player of the Year has thrown for 45,697 yards, 257 touchdowns and 162 interceptions. According to previous reports, the Minnesota Vikings have already been incontact with Flacco this offseason.

Ryan Tannehill is a more interesting QB for Goessling to name, being he hasn’t played in the NFL since 2023, when he started 8 games for the Tennessee Titans, tossing for 1,616 yards with an ugly 4/7 touchdown/interception ratio and a 64.8% completion rate.

Related: Minnesota Vikings Hire Former NFL QB as Defensive Assistant

Tannehill last threw for over 3,000 yards in 2021, when he was 33 years old. The former college wide receiver turned quarterback at Texas A&M peaked as an NFL QB in 2019, when he too won Comeback Player of the Year by throwing for 3,819 yards, 33 touchdowns and just 7 interceptions (67.2% cmp), earning him his only Pro Bowl and All Pro appearances of his career.

In other words, this MN Vikings team looks a lot different than the one we saw lose vs the LA Rams in the Wild Card round of the 2024 NFL Playoffs. One glaring omission, however, remains in the QB room. After Sam Darnold got the bag (kind of) in Seattle, Kevin O’Connell and his group of QB whisperers turned their focus to Daniel Jones back.

But after a few months inside the Vikings organization, the former No. 6 overall draft pick didn’t like his QB competition chances vs JJ McCarthy this summer, so he bailed for an easier opportunity to win the starting job in Indianapolis vs Anthony Richardson.

Obviously, the Minnesota Vikings’ current QB conversation is being dominated by all the Aaron Rodgers chatter swirling lately, chatter that continued through the weekend. But as expected, KOC and the Vikings front office continue to prepare for life with multiple veteran quarterbacks, including players not nicknamed A-Rodg.

Joe Flacco to the Minnesota Vikings?

We know one thing for sure. Brett Rypien is not going to be QB2 in Minnesota next season. Beyond that, and the Rodgers rumors, reports on which veteran quarterbacks the Vikings value most out of those remaining have been mostly neon-existent.

That was until today, when respected NFL insider Albert Breer (Sports Illustrated) reported in his Monday Morning Quarterback column that the MN Vikings have been in contact with the other 40-year-old Super Bowl winner still on the market, Joe Flacco.

“Joe Flacco visited the Giants last week—which was a way, I think, for the team to check him out, and for Flacco to get his name back in circulation. Yes, he’s 40. But as a one-year solution, at a way cheaper rate than Cousins or Rodgers, I think the guy can still play. And the Browns, Steelers and Vikings think enough of him still to have checked on him.”

Sports Illustrated

After three years with the New York Jets, in which Joe Flacco operated as a backup mentor for (yet another) Jets first round bust, the Super Bowl XLVII MVP looked like he’d be forced into retirement. Then, Deshaun Watson went down in Cleveland and Flacco was pulled off the couch by former Vikings OC Kevin Stefanski.

The 17-year NFL vet responded by leading the Browns to 11 wins and a playoff appearance. Joe Flacco’s surprise emergency performance that season earned him 2023 Comeback Player of the Year, after 1600 passing yards, 13 TDs and 8 INTs in five games to finish the season.

The 2023 CPOY is headed to Indy 👏@JoeFlacco | @Colts pic.twitter.com/4GcRblH0Vk

— NFL (@NFL) March 13, 2024

Then in 2024, Flacco left the Browns’ clown show and joined something pretty similar with the Indianapolis Colts. After Anthony Richardson literally asked to be benched, Flacco benefited with another opportunity as a starter.

Related: Vikings Hosting Former Top 3 Draft Pick for Free Agency Visit

What does Joe Flacco have left in the tank?

As Breer points out, while Flacco is 40, there would be no questions as to whether or not he could take take over as Minnesota Vikings QB1 in a pinch. In his 8 appearances (6 starts) with the Colts last season, Flacco posted a 65.3% completion rate with 12 touchdowns and 7 interceptions.

If the Vikings were to sign Flacco, it shouldn’t cost much. He made just $5 million in Indianapolis last season. That’s half of what Darnold signed for as the Vikings’ bridge option in 2024. Flacco brings 196 games of NFL experience to the table, along with 4,166 career completions for 54,697 yards, 257 touchdowns and 162 interceptions. that’s a lot of QB wisdom for a curious young JJ McCarthy to soak in.

There isn’t a lot of backup QB talent remaining on the market, especially if Kevin O’Connell is in search for a safer investment than someone like Jameis Winston or Gardner Minshew, which he clearly is.

Signing Flacco would solidify MN Vikings QB plan

Short of signing Aaron Rodgers, virtually any veteran QB addition at this point in free agency, will cement Minnesota’s plans to move forward with J.J. McCarthy as their starter. This is the plan Kwesi Adofo-Mensah has been building toward since taking over the front office in 2022.

McCarthy has been a winner in every single stop he has made. He left Michigan with 40 starts and a National Championship under his belt. His 72.3% completion rate as a junior led the Big Ten. He brings virtually everything Kevin O’Connell could want to the table.

Related: Minnesota Vikings Free Agency Signings – 2025

This will be the second year of McCarthy’s rookie contract. He effectively can be kept in a cost-controlled manner for three years after this one. If the Vikings want to continue utilizing ample amounts of cap space to build around him, this is the way.

Indianapolis Colts bench Anthony Richardson vs Minnesota Vikings

Colts head coach Shane Steichen could have kept the Minnesota Vikings in the dark this week. Instead, news broke on Tuesday that he is benching former 1st round pick Anthony Richardson, in favor of 39-year-old grizzled veteran Joe Flacco.

A QB change for the Colts: Indianapolis is benching former first-round pick Anthony Richardson and turning to veteran Joe Flacco, sources tell @FowlerESPN and me. Coaches met this morning and made the seismic organizational decision to change QBs. pic.twitter.com/uqANJwOwr4

— Adam Schefter (@AdamSchefter) October 29, 2024

There’s a lot to unpack here. Richardson played in just four games as a rookie after suffering a season-ending injury. His stock rose considerably through the draft process thanks to his athleticism.

Related: Minnesota Vikings Insider Floats 3 New LT Trade Targets

There were some questions surrounding Richardson’s lack of experience, even prior to last week. Then, he started 2-for-13 against Houston, and finished a horrible 10-for-32. His 44% completion percentage, this season, is one of the worst in the NFL, among starters.

That said, Anthony Richardson’s ugly start this season has not been entirely his fault. Indianapolis is right around league-average, in drops, but Colts wide receivers have done Richardson pretty dirty at times. Others have failed to execute, as well.

Richardson’s tape

Significantly better than the stat line/box score

Significantly

— Dan Orlovsky (@danorlovsky7) October 29, 2024

At the most basic level, the NFL is a ‘what have you done for me lately’ league. There is no time for teams to wait around and develop young players. Richardson has performed poorly, and Steichen isn’t interested in leveraging his career and 4-4 record on a youngster, when his backup will produce better results.

Joe Flacco swoops in to try and save the Colts

Last season it was the Cleveland Browns that came calling for Joe Flacco. He hopped off the couch, went 4-1, and took Kevin Stefanski’s team to the playoffs. Flacco signed with the Colts this offseason and has played in four games with a pair of starts.

He is 1-1 as the starter this season, and he’s completed 65% of his passes (much better than Richardson’s 44.4% on the season. The 7-to-1 TD/INT ratio is impressive, too, and by all statistical measures, Joe Flacco will provide a tougher test for Minnesota that Richardson ever would have, even given his ability to run.

1️⃣ zig zags his way for 6️⃣!

📺 CBS pic.twitter.com/uazSwGc22o

— Indianapolis Colts (@Colts) September 29, 2024

Flacco hasn’t been a regular starter in the league since he was with the Baltimore Ravens, in 2017. That said, he has nearly 200 total games played during his NFL career, and he’s proven to be made for this exact type of situation.

Relief: Vikings WR Jordan Addison Responds to Social Media Controversy

He can’t win Comeback Player of the Year again, with the rule changes put in motion after last season. He can step in and win football games, though. But, hopefully not this week. The Minnesota Vikings now have a few extra days to game plan for Flacco.

It’s important to note that the Vikings’ defense has been lit up by veteran QBs in both of their last two losses. Brian Flores needs a much better showing than his defense has put on the field, the past two weeks. Richardson was a soft landing spot, and Flacco provides a much different challenge.

On Sunday night, they’ll turn back to Jaren Hall because… what choice do they have? Josh Dobbs can’t throw the ball and Nick Mullens only throws it to the other team. But maybe, we’re asking the wrong question. Instead of asking ‘what choices DO the Vikings have’, maybe we should focus more on ‘what options DID they have’?

Remember the Minnesota Vikings mid-season QB search?

It was a crazy 48 hours, after Kirk Cousins’ injury. Insiders were scrambling to get the latest information, lists were slapped together with possible candidates… it was a wild gray duck QB chase. If there was any reason whatsoever why a known QB with a semi-functional throwing arm might be available, Minnesota was supposedly interested.

Related: Justin Jefferson Plans to Push Vikings Toward Re-Signing Kirk Cousins

Trade speculation was running rampant. Would Colt McCoy (Commanders) be a good fit? What about our old friend Case Keenum (Panthers) or Andy Dalton (also Panthers)? Free agent names floating around back then included Nick Foles, Carson Wentz, even Tom Brady.

Oh, and don’t forget about one forgotten name, Joe Flacco, who has since signed with the Cleveland Browns and, at nearly 39-years-old, is playing the best football of his career.

Flacco was inserted as Browns starter at the beginning of December and he is now being praised in Cleveland for single-handedly lifting them into the AFC playoff bracket, after yet another astounding performance on Thursday night guaranteed them their spot.

Joe Flacco’s passing yards during the Browns 4 game win streak

🔥 311
🔥 374
🔥 368
🔥 309 pic.twitter.com/SezTO0TXgc

— PFF (@PFF) December 29, 2023

Cleveland Browns Joe Flacco on Thursday Night Football:

– 19/29
– 309 Yards
– 3 TD 1 INT
– 121.2 Rating

Joe Flacco has 4 straight 300-yard games and 10 TD, and helped the Browns clinch a playoff spot tonight. pic.twitter.com/ppPLPocbRO

— NFL Rumors (@nflrums) December 29, 2023

Cousins’ injury happened on October 29 and the slow-motion video of his achilles tendon snapping made the eventual diagnosis pretty clear right away. The tear was confirmed the next day, after further imaging tests, and the Vikings QB search kicked into high gear.

The “no stone left unturned” QB search…

Back then, head coach Kevin O’Connell promised the Minnesota fanbase that decision makers in Eagan would leave no stone unturned, in their desperate search for a new quarterback. We could feel comfort knowing he and general manager Kwesi Adofo-Mensah were scouring every possible corner of the football world for a competent QB replacement.

They were supposedly open to every possible scenario, when they first started evaluating their options. From a blockbuster trade that would have put their future in jeopardy, to bottom barrell free agents that wouldn’t cost much more than a spot on the practice squad.

So obviously, if a former Super Bowl winner and aging game manager CALLS YOU, you’d be interested in, at the least, bringing him in for a workout, right? What else do you have to lose, especially after you’ve ruled out any sort of blockbuster deal.

I mean, the cost of a plane ticket is certainly worth a workout with KOC. Even if you think Joe Flacco is too old and frail to make the flight; that his arm might fall off after his first throw… YOU STILL BRING HIM IN FOR A WORKOUT, RIGHT? Since you are DESPERATE and deep diving EVERY POSSIBLE OPTION?

Vikings said ‘no thanks’ to working out Joe Flacco

Apparently not, according to Darren Wolfson (SKOR North, KSTP), who noted on Twitter Thursday night that Joe Flacco and his agent actually contacted the Vikings, after Cousins injury, to let them know he was interested in filling in at QB for the remainder of 2023. Minnesota said no and didn’t even invite him in for a workout.

Joe Flacco had interest in playing for the #Vikings prior to the trade deadline, but Minnesota did not match that interest, per @DWolfsonKSTP.

Minnesota was aware of Flacco’s interest, but instead traded for Josh Dobbs, and Flacco signed with the #Browns on November 20th. pic.twitter.com/E59PeXmQdv

— VikingzFanPage (@vikingzfanpage) December 29, 2023

He wanted to be here, Vikings received that message before Oct. 29 turned into Oct. 30. They weren’t interested.

— Darren Wolfson (@DWolfsonKSTP) December 28, 2023

Look, hindsight is 20/20. There wasn’t a soul in the football universe, including Joe himself, who saw these last five performances coming. Sometimes, just like what happened with Josh Dobbs for a couple weeks in Minnesota, the right guy lands in the right spot at the right time.

What’s frustrating, though, is their lack of interest in even seeing him. Not only were KOC and Kwesi not turning over every stone, like they promised, but they weren’t even paying attention to the stones hitting them right in the face.

Related: Minnesota Vikings Playoff Odds – Week 17

I mean, Flacco wouldn’t have been the most attractive option, obviously. But neither was Josh Dobbs… which is why the Cardinals gave him up for next to nothing. It’s important to remember how desperate the Minnesota Vikings were back then. So why wouldn’t you at least fly Joe in for a workout?

I mean, you’re telling me that Kevin O’Connell would have watched Flacco run around the practice fields at TCO Performance Center and effortlessly fling it, like we’ve seen him do with the Browns (below), and still decide on Josh Dobbs as the better answer? I don’t know if you can convince me of that.

Joe Flacco in his BAG pic.twitter.com/daYVbHSUPm

— Bussin' With The Boys (@BussinWTB) December 29, 2023

The legend of Joe Flacco grows every snap. What a stud pic.twitter.com/fdBPgsRRlO

— Bussin' With The Boys (@BussinWTB) December 29, 2023

But without seeing Flacco, that’s what happened. Less than 24 hours after Cousins’ achilles tear was made official, they gave Joe the cold shoulder and it was announced that GM Kwesi Adofo-Mensah had made a deal with the Arizona Cardinals, swapping some late round draft picks for the quarterback who had started all eight games for them, up to that point.

Would working out Flacco had changed Vikings’ thinking back then?

With Kyler Murray set to return from injury, Dobbs became very expendable in Phoenix and really cheap for the Vikings. Without a doubt, the deal made sense. But still, head coach Kevin O’Connell could not have been all that excited about Dobbs, while watching his tape.

In those eight games with the Cardinals, Josh threw 8 touchdowns to 5 interceptions and 1,569 yards (196.1 YPG). He also ran for 258 yards on the ground and 3 rushing touchdowns. Oh, and don’t forget about his 8 fumbles, four of which he lost.

Does that sound familiar? It should because, as you can see below, Minnesota got the exact same Josh Dobbs as what Arizona had for the first half of the season. Probably a bit worse, which is to be expected when jumping into a brand new offense mid-season. But it’s uncanny how identical Dobbs’ completion %, yards per attempt and yards per completion are at both stops this season.

There’s no reason to believe Joe Flacco wouldn’t have impressed the Vikings, just like he has the Browns, had Kwesi and O’Connell given him a shot. But they didn’t.

And if I’m the Wilfs, it’s not acceptable that the general manager and head coach of your QB desperate football team essentially hung up on their best QB option without even bringing him in for a workout.

Because of that, your NFL franchise is on the outside of the playoff bracket looking in. And if Zygi hasn’t already, he should call them up to his lavish office at TCO Performance Center and let them know how unacceptable it is. How not doing their due diligence probably cost your team a playoff spot and your pocketbook that postseason money and fan excitement.

Read all of our articles on the Minnesota Vikings

On Tuesday, Mullens was rewarded with the starting quarterback job this Saturday vs the Cincinnati Bengals. But let’s be real, there isn’t much confidence in any of the quarterbacks currently on the team’s roster. Which begs the question… is the Vikings’ best QB1 option still outside the organization?

Should Minnesota Vikings try Plan C: Joe Flacco?

Just in case you missed it, following a difficult debut in week 13 against the Rams, Flacco went off in week 14 vs the Jacksonville Jaguars, throwing for over 300 yard, and 3 TDs, lead the Cleveland Browns to victory.

But when that magic performance ended, Flacco reverted back to the Browns practice squad. And, as of Tuesday evening, that’s where he still sits, making Joe 100% available to sign with any NFL team who offers him a contract.

Related: Minnesota Vikings Offense Rankings 2023 – Week 15

Well, Andrew Fillipponi — a popular radio host from 93.7 The Fan in Pittsburgh — floated a very interesting Vikings-related idea on Twitter recently. Should the Vikings attempt to bring in Super Bowl XLVII MVP Joe Flacco?

The Vikings have $10 million in cap space.

If Minnesota offered Joe Flacco $8 million for the rest of the year to sign there.

Would he do leave Cleveland?

I would.

— Andrew Fillipponi (@ThePoniExpress) December 11, 2023

After Flacco’s stellar performance, head coach Kevin Stefanski announced Flacco as the starting quarterback for the Browns for the rest of the season. So, why is he still on the practice squad?

While Flacco is fully within his legal right if he signs elsewhere, it has to be within his best interest to do so. He isn’t on waivers so he’d have to agree to sign with another team. Most other teams aren’t going to be knocking down the Browns practice facility door to steal Joe Flacco away from them.

Cleveland possesses a considerable amount of salary cap space but their strategy for keeping Flacco on the practice squad seems mostly roster related, not cap-related. Elevating Flacco off the practice squad on weekends allows the Browns to maintain 53-man roster flexibility during the week, which appears to be a driving factor in keeping their starting quarterback off their non-game day roster.

Related: Raiders Brought in Three Former NFL Head Coaches to Prepare for Vikings

A move for Joe Flacco… actually makes sense

Still, leaving Flacco on the practice squad, even if it’s only temporary, is risky business. The Minnesota Vikings could use the Browns strategy against them and it might be something the should seriously think about doing. This opportunity to swoop in and swipe Joe Flacco out from under the Browns’ noses emerges as the Vikings face huge quarterback challenges.

For a supposed NFC contender with three less-than-ideal QBs to choose from, a late pursuit of Flacco should be a very tempting proposition. Flacco may not be what he once was, which was never at the level of Kirk Cousins prior to injury, but he’s 100% better than anything the Vikings currently have to offer.

In his Browns debut in week 14, Flacco went 26 of 45 passing for 311 yards, 3 touchdowns and just 1 interception. In comparison, Josh Dobbs sandwiched a week 13 Vikings bye with 248 yards, 1 touchdown and 4 interceptions total in two games against the Bears and Raiders.

Flacco's found his fountain of youth 😏@Browns | @JoeFlacco pic.twitter.com/v3VfvUUlH8

— NFL Films (@NFLFilms) December 12, 2023

Despite Flacco’s apparent commitment to the Browns, a substantial financial offer from a contender in the wide open NFC (like the Vikings) could entice him to reconsider. You’d think such an opportunity would be tantalizing for Flacco, given the Vikings’ high odds of making the playoffs and the weapons he’d have to throw to, in Justin Jefferson, Jordan Addison and TJ Hockenson.

Assessing the Vikings’ Quarterback Conundrum

Although Nick Mullens seems like the probable starter going forward, over Jaren Hall and Josh Dobbs. But head coach Kevin O’Connell’s recent “week-to-week” statement implies the possibility they are still open on their approach at QB going forward.

Related: Kirk Cousins on the ManningCast was Peak Television Entertainment

Mullens has limited experience and no notable playoff history. The Dobbs race to NFL fame seems to have run its course already and Hall looked good in limited action but is the least experienced option. In other words, none of the Vikings’ current options compare to the track record of Flacco.

Considering Flacco’s extensive NFL career, including a Super Bowl MVP, and the Vikings current options at QB, there’s a compelling argument for pursuing him. While making a late-season quarterback change poses challenges, acquiring a seasoned quarterback like Flacco could significantly elevate the Vikings’ offense from the train wreck it has become in recent weeks.

Conclusion

The allure of acquiring Joe Flacco presents the Minnesota Vikings with a potential solution to their quarterback woes. His proven track record, experience, and past success make him an attractive option.

While the odds of Flacco bailing on Cleveland are slim, money does have a long known history of talking people athletes into things. As the NFL landscape evolves, a decision to pursue Flacco could very well prove instrumental in any real chance at the Vikings making a playoff run.