Now at 5-8, the Vikings would need a miracle to turn this season into anything meaningful. And for fans hoping to celebrate by checking in on former Vikings around the league, Sunday didn’t offer much good news, as several familiar faces suffered major setbacks.

Daniel Jones Looks to be Done with the Indianapolis Colts

For reasons known only to the Colts, Indianapolis continued allowing Daniel Jones to play through a fractured fibula. He had parlayed his time in Minnesota into a strong season, but everything came crashing down on Sunday.

Here’s the play on which Daniel Jones was hurt: pic.twitter.com/RLJkYCAn4b

— Adam Schefter (@AdamSchefter) December 7, 2025

One of the dangers of playing through an injury is how the body compensates. Jones was already dealing with a fractured fibula, and on Sunday he appeared to suffer a torn achilles in the opposite leg. That was confirmed on Monday and he will undergo season-ending surgery.

It’s an incredibly unfortunate development considering how well he had been playing. Before exiting early on Sunday, Jones had led the Colts to an 8-4 record, completing 67.9% of his passes with a 19/7 TD/INT ratio.

With what is likely a year-long recovery ahead, Jones has almost certainly missed out on a multi-year contract and may even have cost himself the franchise tag. It’s a brutal outcome for both the quarterback and the Colts.

Adam Thielen Does Nothing in Steelers Debut

After being a healthy scratch for the Minnesota Vikings, Adam Thielen sought a fresh start to finish his career. The Pittsburgh Steelers claimed him, giving future Hall of Famer Aaron Rodgers another weapon. Despite being active just days after joining the team, Thielen was barely involved.

2018 Pro Bowler Adam Thielen with the grab for the Steelers pic.twitter.com/7XDqQNwJ2U

— NFL on CBS 🏈 (@NFLonCBS) December 7, 2025

His usage didn’t change much from his final days in Minnesota. Thielen saw just one target from Rodgers, hauling in a four-yard reception in his Steelers debut.

Meanwhile, Minnesota’s third wide receiver, Jalen Nailor, the player originally expected to fill Thielen’s role, caught all three of his targets for 30 yards on Sunday.

Cousins Embarrassed by Darnold

Last weekend, the Vikings faced former quarterback Sam Darnold and the Seattle Seahawks but fell short as Max Brosmer struggled. This week, Darnold faced another former Viking, Kirk Cousins, and things went even worse for the Atlanta Falcons starter.

Kirk Cousins gets picked off.

Nick Emmanwori was credited with his first career interception, Falcons gonna lose another game 💀 pic.twitter.com/Jd3aDKvCT0

— SM Highlights (@SMHighlights1) December 7, 2025

Filling in for the injured Michael Penix Jr., Cousings was expected to resemble the steady veteran who signed yet another massive contract. Instead, he was abysmal. Cousins completed just 15 of 30 passes for 162 yards, threw two interceptions, and posted an 18.4 passer rating.

Darnold, meanwhile, continues his resurgence with Seattle. Revitalized under Kevin O’Connell before departing last offseason, Darnold went 20 for 30 for 249 yards and three touchdowns. His lone interception proved meaningless in a 37-9 blowout.

Cousins has long been known for cashing checks while delivering minimal impact in the win column, and Sunday only cemented that narrative. The Falcons will have a potential out in his contract this offseason, and it’s safe to say the Vikings won’t be lining up to give him another payday.

Still though, head coach Kevin O’Connell once again opted against a veteran option to test his youngster, when trade rumors started swirling. One of those that was suggested the most was longtime Vikings signal caller Kirk Cousins. Instea, he stuck in Atlanta as the league’s most expensive backup.

Now, though, he’ll step in with all of the experience to his credit.

Kirk Cousins moves into starting role for Atlanta Falcons

On Sunday, the Atlanta Falcons squared off against the Carolina Panthers. With the Falcons at 3-6, they just aren’t a very good team good team, and they couldn’t avoid falling to 3-7, as they did so in an overtime loss. Along the way, starting quarterback Michael Penix Jr. went down with an injury. It seems that the injury is going to have a long-term effect, and Kirk Cousins will be called upon more than just what he was on Sunday.

ESPN sources: Falcons QB Michael Penix suffered a potentially season-ending knee injury during Sunday’s loss to the Panthers. Penix will be seeking a second opinion, but it is not encouraging. pic.twitter.com/GiWa64ofSN

— Adam Schefter (@AdamSchefter) November 17, 2025

Knee injuries have been something of an issue for Penix over the course of his career. He hurt his left knee earlier this season, and had a pair of ACL tears in his right knee while in college. Being placed on injured reserve at this point in the season isn’t a death sentence, as there is time to return. However, it doesn’t sound like that is likely to be to be in the cards for Penix.

Despite paying Kirk Cousins a serious amount of cash in free agency, the Falcons used a first round pick on Penix last season. He started the final three games of the year, and was QB1 going into 2025. He has a 3-6 record with Atlanta this season, and has completed 60.1% of his passes with a 9/3 TD/INT ratio.

If Penix is to miss the rest of the season, Cousins will get seven games to prove he is worthy of being a starting quarterback in the NFL once again.

Kirk Cousins can earn his payday

At 3-7 it’s pretty hard to think of a scenario in which the Atlanta Falcons make the playoffs. The Minnesota Vikings are a better 4-6, and their year is also essentially over. However, this is a prime opportunity for Kirk Cousins to make good on his contract.

Last season Cousins started 14 games for the Falcons, and completed 66.9% of his passes, but he had a terrible 18/16 TD/INT ratio. Prior to his benching, the team was 7-7. This season he has just one start and has played in three games. He is 32-of-42 (61.5%), but has not thrown a touchdown or interception.

After this season Cousins carries a $35 million dead cap number. Atlanta could opt to move him and look to reset their roster. If they want to make that easier, then Cousins performing in his newly elevated role would act as a vehicle to do so.

Now with a 4-4 record and hope renewed for the future, each contest still left takes on a different level of importance. Five weeks from now the Washington Commanders come to U.S. Bank Stadium. Jayden Daniels was lost for the season on Sunday night, and that has massive implications for the Vikings matchup.

Marcus Mariota is next man up against Minnesota Vikings

This isn’t the first time Jayden Daniels has missed time for the Washington Commanders this season. Former Oregon Ducks Heisman Trophy winner Marcus Mariota has started three games. He’s now in line to fill in for Dan Quinn’s team the rest of the way.

At this point Mariota is a bonafide journeyman in his 11th NFL season. He’s 1-2 as a starter for Washington, including a loss against his former Atlanta Falcons employer.

In five games for the Commanders, Mariota has completed 63.6% of his passes. He has an even 4/4 TD/INT ratio and taken seven sacks. Mariota still uses his feet plenty and has turned 18 scampers into 122 yards and a touchdown. At his best, he’s an aging dual-threat quarterback that provides a lesser version of Daniels to compete against.

LEADER: When Marcus Mariota approached rookie QB Jayden Daniels before his game-winning touchdown and gave him this advice.

“Stand up, catch your air, get your wind and go out there and execute. Use your God-given abilities & let's go win this game”

🙌pic.twitter.com/DOrx2LkIzE

— MLFootball (@MLFootball) October 12, 2025

Minnesota was always going to have an advantage against the Commanders playing at home, but that should only grow with Mariota under center. They must first focus on the Ravens, Bears, and Packers, but another win has presented itself in a greater capacity at this point.

Kirk Cousins enters the discussion

There’s certainly a world where the Commanders don’t feel like Marcus Mariota is the right veteran quarterback to take over for Jayden Daniels. This is a team that had playoff intentions this season, and they may be willing to make a move ahead of Tuesday’s trade deadline.

You like that?

With Jayden Daniels expected out for the season, a name that immediately comes to mind: Kirk Cousins.

Played in Washington for three seasons. If the #Commanders don’t have 100% faith in Marcus Mariota, Cousins may be their guy. pic.twitter.com/YuZVktVpHi

— Arye Pulli (@AryePulliNFL) November 3, 2025

Kirk Cousins just started for the Atlanta Falcons as Michael Penix missed a contest with a knee injury. It didn’t exactly go well, but the veteran has expressed a desire to be traded and would love an opportunity elsewhere.

Cousins spent the first six years of his professional career in Washington, and it’s a place of familiarity for him. Although the faces have changed since then, Cousins remains largely the same quarterback, albeit with a fatter bank account.

Minnesota continues to be linked to Cousins, but Washington emerging as an option is certainly is intriguing. Regardless, the Vikings won’t see Jayden Daniels and that changes the entire landscape of that contest.

But the Lions aren’t nearly as desperate for a victory Sunday as the Vikings, who will start redshirt rookie JJ McCarthy for the first time since week two and just the third time of his NFL career. At 3-4, a loss could all but mathematically eliminate Minnesota from the NFC playoff picture.

Even after the NFL postseason expanded to three wild card teams a few years ago, it’s extremely possible that all NFC wild card teams in 2025-26 will reach at least 10 regular season wins. If they lose today in Detroit, the MN Vikings would have to go 7-2 against the remainder of their schedule to reach a 10-7 final record.

And even if a season turnaround like that is realistic, it’ll be difficult for Vikings general manager Kwesi Adofo-Mensah to operate on Monday and Tuesday, in the hours leading up the NFL Trade Deadline, as if his team is expecting to make the postseason.

Minnesota Vikings looking for QB help at NFL Trade Deadline?

Still, at least for now, it doesn’t sound like the Minnesota Vikings have any plans to act as sellers, prior to the deadline buzzer going off at 3 p.m. CST on November 4.

In fact, according to Adam Schefter (ESPN), they are still in the market for a veteran quarterback who can make the coaching staff feel more comfortable about who is in the QB room with JJ McCarthy and Max Brosmer.

The Vikings did not want to head into this season without an experienced veteran backup quarterback…If that was Minnesota’s thought process before the season, sources believe it would be the same now, with the Vikings still needing an experienced veteran backup quarterback for J.J. McCarthy.

League sources believe Minnesota still could make a move for a quarterback by Tuesday’s deadline.

Adam Schefter – ESPN

Related: JJ McCarthy and Sam Darnold Didn’t Get Along in Minnesota?

This is mildly surprising, because of how late it is in the season. Sure, bringing in a quarterback over the age of 25 isn’t a bad idea. Afterall, JJ McCarthy and Max Brosmer have combined to throw just 49 passes in their young NFL careers.

But where are the MN Vikings going to find a QB who they can integrate into the offense seamlessly, with just half of the 2025 regular season remaining? Are they that afraid of playing Max Brosmer, and if so… why?

What QBs could the Vikings be interested in?

We just watched five games of Carson Wentz attempting to operate an offense he has no business playing in, and the results were a complete train wreck. If nothing else, Brosmer knows the offense, will play fast and hit open receivers, three things that Wentz struggled with.

And I am NOT convinced that any of the veteran quarterbacks mentioned by Schefter as possible options for the Minnesota Vikings — Kirk Cousins, Russell Wilson and Jameis Winston — would do it better than Brosmer, given the situation they’d be coming into.

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 also have two experienced backups in Russell Wilson and Jameis Winston.

Adam Schefter – ESPN

Related: New Name Added to “Official” Vikings Injury Report, but Don’t Tell KOC

Fast forward to week 9 of the 2025 NFL season, Kirk Cousins is nothing more than a bench warmer in Atlanta, behind Penix. Kirk was benched by the Falcons 14 games into the 2024 season, before he re-emerged as Atlanta’s starter last week, to replaced an injured Michael Penix Jr.

It did not go well. Cousins went 21-of-31 for 173 yards, 0 touchdowns and 0 interceptions, in a 34-10 blowout loss at the hands of a struggling Miami Dolphins team that entered the contest with a 1-6 record.

Kirk Cousins wants out of Atlanta

So now, with Penix trending towards a return, CBS Sports is reporting that Cousins is requesting a trade before the upcoming November 4 deadline. According to the report, Kirk is still trying to start somewhere.

The Falcons backup QB still desires an opportunity to start elsewhere, a person with knowledge of the situation told USA TODAY Sports. They spoke on condition of anonymity because of the sensitivity of the matter. However, no trade appears to be imminent.

CBS Sports

Kirk Cousins signed a four-year, $180 million deal to go to Atlanta, a contract that has made it impossible to get traded. Cousins is earning $27.5 million this season and carries a $40 million cap hit. It’s possible an acquiring team could use him the rest of this season, and then eat the $35 million in dead cap next year.

The reality though, is that the juice may simply not be worth the squeeze. This is a QB who wasn’t just bad last week. Cousins led the NFL with 16 interceptions last season, despite playing in just 14 games.

Meanwhile, the Minnesota Vikings just signed veteran John Wolford as their third quarterback, after it was announced Carson Wentz needs season-ending shoulder surgery.

McCarthy is the only remaining quarterback on the roster from last season, and two former Vikings veterans were in the spotlight for completely separate reasons on Sunday.

Kirk Cousins steps in for Atlanta Falcons

With Michael Penix nursing a knee injury kept him out of practice, the Atlanta Falcons turned to veteran backup Kirk Cousins. Of course there have been recent trade rumors suggesting he could return to Minnesota. Whether that makes sense or not, he didn’t do himself any favors on Sunday.

Final from Atlanta

— Atlanta Falcons (@AtlantaFalcons) October 26, 2025

Despite playing at home, against a 1-6 Miami Dolphins team, Kirk Cousins showed nothing short of mediocrity. The 24-point loss included Cousins going just 21-of-31 for 173 yards. He took one sack as well. Cousins averaged just 5.6 yards per attempt.

With the quarterback looking inept, Miami was able to stack the box and limit Atlanta’s running game as well. The Falcons had just 45 yards on 17 carries with lead back Bijan Robinson going for just 25.

Cousins has been called an all-time bag getter, and it’s performances like this that highlight just how much money he has generated while being entirely underwhelming. He is making more than $27 million this season to sit behind Penix.

Things may not go well with J.J. McCarthy, and the Vikings intended to win this season. Under no circumstance though, do they need to bring Cousins back.

Daniel Jones owns NFL’s best record

Last season the Vikings signed Daniel Jones after he was released by the New York Giants. He never got into game action but was elevated as Sam Darnold’s backup for a single contest. Despite a desire to sign him this offseason, Jones went to Indianapolis. Now his Colts, at 7-1, own the league’s best record.

Daniel Jones runs the "Alec down there somewhere" to perfection 🚀 pic.twitter.com/yYgfErBS7R

— NFL on CBS 🏈 (@NFLonCBS) October 26, 2025

Jones was 21-of-29 against the Tennessee Titans for 272 yards and three touchdowns. He now has a 13/3 TD/INT ratio while completing more than 70% of his passes through eight games.

You could argue that Minnesota didn’t know what they had in Jones, but it was clear they prioritized signing him from the Giants. Jones also recently talked about just how much he learned working with Sam Darnold and Kevin O’Connell.

It’s understandable that the Vikings didn’t want to commit $100 million for Darnold with McCarthy waiting in the wings. Jones signed a one-year deal for $14 million. Minnesota was open to a short-term deal with Darnold, and that should have been the plan for Jones as well.

A one or two year deal upwards of $16 million would have given Minnesota additional flexibility for McCarthy to earn the job, and Jones clearly would have thrived in a better environment than New York. We’ll never know how that could have worked out, but the Vikings are nowhere near the playoffs while Jones is working towards a one-seed and potential MVP.

Before Darnold and Jones, it was Kirk Cousins. After six seasons with the Vikings, Cousins opted to chase the bag with the Atlanta Falcons. He didn’t last long before coming the league’s most expensive backup, but that is expected to change on Sunday.

Kirk Cousins to start for Atlanta Falcons

After signing with the Atlanta Falcons, the team almost immediately drafted his replacement in the form of Michael Penix. Cousins played just 14 games last season before Penix took over. Now dealing with a knee injury, Penix is expected to be unavailable with Cousins taking over.

ESPN Sources: Falcons QB Kirk Cousins is “highly likely” to start Sunday’s game vs. the Dolphins as Michael Penix recovers from a bone bruise to his knee.

Penix was limited at practice all week and Cousins worked with the first-team offense, gearing up to start Sunday. pic.twitter.com/790BrBoTBe

— Adam Schefter (@AdamSchefter) October 25, 2025

Penix and the Falcons beat the Minnesota Vikings earlier this season. The 22-6 victory at U.S. Bank Stadium spoiled Minnesota’s home opener. With Penix, the Falcons are 3-3 and coming off a loss against the San Francisco 49ers.

Cousins has appeared in one game for Atlanta this season, completing 5-of-7 passes for 29 yards. Last season he led the league with 16 interceptions despite not playing the final three games of the season.

When Cousins takes the field for the Falcons, it will be his first start since December 16, 2024. It should be a relatively soft landing spot for Cousins as well considering the Dolphins 1-6 record.

It is for situations like this that Atlanta has been hesitant to deal Cousins. He gives them arguably the highest quality backup in the league and shouldn’t generate much of a dropoff in the place of Penix. Of course, that hasn’t stopped recent trade rumors suggesting Cousins would be a fit for the Vikings and their current quarterback issues.

Minnesota is expected to turn back to J.J. McCarthy for Week 9 assuming he is fully healthy.

Fresh off that loss, head coach Kevin O’Connell and his team now turn their GPS due West for a Thursday Night Football game in Inglewood, CA against the Los Angeles Chargers, to kick off week 8 across the entire NFL.

On Tuesday, KOC announced that Carson Wentz will once again start under center for Minnesota, as we continue to wait on the return of JJ McCarthy, whenever that will be. Meanwhile, with the NFL trade deadline approaching (Nov. 4), there are a few national NFL insiders who are starting to read tea leaves around the league.

Yesterday, it was Mike Florio (ProFootballTalk) who first connected the MN Vikings back to their former QB1, Kirk Cousins, who is currently trying to work through his second season as the backup in Atlanta.

If Wentz isn’t capable of leading a playoff team and O’Connell doesn’t believe McCarthy is ready… then it’s NOT impossible that we see No. 8 back in purple yet again.

Another NFL insider floats Kirk Cousins to Minnesota Vikings

Wednesday, it was Jeremy Fowler’s (ESPN) turn to spin the Cousins’ rumor wheel. In a trade deadline primer posted early this morning, Fowler pinned Kirk’s chances of being traded at 20% and put the most likely landing spot as the Minnesota Vikings.

The buzz: Cousins would need injuries at the quarterback position to spark a market. He is 37, and he struggled with interceptions last season (16), but Cousins could help a team in a bind…[as his] $10 million guarantee in 2026 is a hurdle [in negotiations].

Carson Wentz’s Week 7 struggles with the Vikings make a Cousins reunion in Minneapolis a convenient talking point for fans and media, even with J.J. McCarthy soon returning from an ankle injury. — Jeremy Fowler

The tape: At this stage of his career, Cousins is viewed as a No. 2 who fits best in a system with play-action elements. This allows Cousins to throw with rhythm on defined concepts. Cousins has a career play-action QBR of 73.6. — Matt Bowen

Predicted chance of getting traded: 20%
Team fits: Minnesota Vikings

ESPN.com

At first glance, many Minnesota Vikings fans will see this as a pie in the sky situation. After all, if O’Connell wanted Kirk Cousins back, he’d still be here, right? Well, time changes a lot of things.

Does trading for Cousins make any sense?

If the Vikings see themselves as a legitimate Super Bowl contender, should they get average to above average QB play, then it’s at least worth looking into. But first, they must decide whether or not JJ McCarthy can be that guy. If they decide he isn’t ready for that role yet, then a move to bring in Cousins suddenly makes a TON of sense.

Worried about money? Don’t be. The MN Vikings currently have $16.7 million in cap space to play with. Maybe the Falcons retain a small chunk, but by then, half of Kirk’s 2025 salary will already be paid.

Maybe you have to move the numbers around on Brian O’Neill’s contract, or possibly Justin Jefferson’s. Either way, fitting Cousins into the financial picture this year wouldn’t be all that difficult.

Related: Vikings Second Week 8 Injury Report Brings Same Line Concerns

His $57.5 million cap hit next season (or $35M cap penalty to cut him) is another question, entirely. But how badly do the Vikings want to win? Because Kirk would come in and immediately look head/shoulders better than anything we have seen from either McCarthy or Wentz so far this season.

But again, unless you see yourself as a true playoff/Super Bowl contender, you do not make a move like this. In other words, we will find out what kind of team the Minnesota Vikings believe they are, and their confidence in JJ McCarthy, over the next few weeks.

That didn’t stop head coach Kevin O’Connell from naming Wentz the starter on Tuesday. Still, with JJ McCarthy still out and ongoing questions surrounding the redshirt rookie’s readiness — not to mention Wents’ aching left shoulder and underwhelming performance of late — former Gopher Max Brosmer remains at the ready.

MN Vikings may need Max Brosmer says Florio

And according to Pro Football Talk founder Mike Florio, a move to the rookie UDFA (who has impressed at every turn) is starting to make more and more sense. After all, everything we’ve seen from Brosmer leads us to believe he could operate O’Connell’s offense in a way that Wentz cannot.

It’s a short week, and the Vikings could be shorthanded at quarterback. Both J.J. McCarthy (ankle) and Carson Wentz (left shoulder) were listed as limited participants in a Monday practice that didn’t actually happen. That keeps the door open for the possibility that undrafted rookie Max Brosmer will get the start.

Brosmer has served as the backup to Wentz during McCarthy’s absence. And Brosmer has impressed the Vikings in his limited time in the NFL. Could he play? The Vikings may have no choice.

Injury or not, the Wentz chariot-pumpkin meter is back in the orange category. And McCarthy, even if healthy, possibly hasn’t practiced enough to play. Brosmer has been the one consistent and healthy presence.

Mike Florio – Pro Football Talk

Wentz was horrible on Sunday, right out of the gate, and he wasn’t much better during their trip to Europe. Meanwhile, J.J. McCarthy has been out of the game for over a year dealing with achilles and ankle injuries.

Clearly, the MN Vikings have questions about whether or not he is currently capable of starting duties. They can only move the goalposts on his timeline so far, before fans and media say “enough is enough”. Would Max Brosmer step in and be an immediate star? No, but he could very well be better than Carson Wentz.

Kirk Cousins noted again for MN Vikings

When the Vikings opted against bringing back either Sam Darnold or Daniel Jones, they put all of their eggs in the untested basket of J.J. McCarthy. As those two veterans thrive elsewhere, Florio wonders if a reunion with the league’s highest-paid backup isn’t on the horizon.

Then there’s this possibility. With two weeks left until the trade deadline arrives, could the Vikings pull the rip cord on the Kirk Cousins emergency option? While the Falcons possibly have a diminished appetite to trade Cousins now that starter Michael Penix Jr. is day-to-day with a bone bruise, the Vikings presumably would get through Thursday night’s game at the Chargers and the following Sunday’s visit to the Lions before making a final decision in the two remaining days before the time for 2025 trades ends.

By November 4, the Falcons could be willing to move Cousins out. And the Vikings could be willing to move Cousins in.

Frankly, a move like that could be the only chance the Vikings have to end their current trend of failing to make the playoffs in back-to-back years. They last qualified for the postseason in consecutive years in 2008 and 2009.

Mike Florio – Pro Football Talk

A loss on Thursday would put the Vikings at 3-4 with their playoff hopes on life support. With Wentz starting, failing to get the job done would waste a roster intended to win now. If Brosmer steps in, it may just be a stopgap.

Cousins would clearly love to be back under center routinely, and he had a good thing going in Minnesota. That’s going to remain a possibility until he starts for another team, and Florio is right, Minnesota can’t afford to keep swinging and missing.

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.