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Minnesota Vikings quarterback, Sam Howell, carrying the ball in preseason against the New England Patriots on August 16, 2025.
The Minnesota Vikings‘ efforts will be focused on ensuring that new franchise quarterback, JJ McCarthy, performs about as well as he is humanly capable of doing throughout the course of this upcoming first season with him at the helm.
McCarthy has finally started to find his stride, putting together some good days of practice over the past week or so. However, behind him, trouble could await.
Current QB2, Sam Howell, has not had the best training camp of his life after being traded to Minnesota from the Seattle Seahawks during the draft in April. And fellow veteran quarterback, Brett Rypien, has seriously struggled in preseason games. So much so that undrafted free agent, Max Brosmer, could be en route to taking the backup spot away from Howell.
Brosmer has impressed; there is no question about that; but with such a young signal caller atop the depth hart at the position, it may well behoove the Vikings to find another veteran quarterback who can outperform Howell and Rypien, and allow Brosmer to develop as the QB3 for a year or so, before eventually taking over the backup job.
Minnesota Could Have No Truly Viable Backups Ahead Of 2025 Season
Enter Jameis Winston, who Alex Kay of Bleacher Report suggests could be an intelligent acquisition for the Vikings in a trade proposal. Kay puts forward that Minnesota could give up a seventh rounder in next year’s draft in exchange for the former first overall pick.
“With the stakes so high, the Vikings need to have a decent backup option in place.” Kay writes. “Jameis Winston should be available cheaply, with Russell Wilson and Jaxson Dart set to occupy the QB1/2 spots for the Giants, a situation the Vikings can use to their advantage.
Winston, 31, may not be the most reliable quarterback, but he’s undeniably talented with a unique ability to push the ball downfield. With Minnesota’s bounty of weapons—including all-world wideout Justin Jefferson—and renowned quarterback whisperer in head coach Kevin O’Connell, he could be the perfect backup for this squad.”
Why Jameis Winston Makes Perfect Sense For The Vikings
Winston is not the best man for the job if you are looking for a seemless, no drama, low floor/low ceiling type proposition. But with an ultra-talented playcalled like Kevin O’Connell, a much-improved offensive line that could end up being a top-five unit in the league, and one of the best receivers in football in Justin Jefferson.
The former Tampa Bay Buccaneer is routinely considered one of the most beloved locker room figures, whichever team he is with. And despite being known as one of the more erratic throwers in the NFL, he will certainly be able to impart considerable knowledge and information – for instances both on and off the field – to help the development of McCarthy.
He also provides a very, very high upside option if McCarthy does go down, with one of the stronger arms and more gung-ho playing styles in football.
There is risk to it – hence why someone like Brosmer would also stay on the roster – but now sitting as the third man behind Russell Wilson and Jaxson Dart with the Giants, it won’t take much to pry him away from New York.
Daniel Arwas Daniel Arwas is a sports writer who covers the NFL for Heavy.com. Daniel began his career in sports writing in 2022 and has covered the NFL and college football for Gridiron Heroics and The Hammer. More about Daniel Arwas
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