The Minnesota Vikings are in a tough spot.
The team has an elite defense that’s good enough to make the playoffs, but the quarterback play just hasn’t been good enough. However, because of said defense, the Vikings still won nine games last year and don’t have a high draft pick.
Plus, the Vikings just drafted J.J. McCarthy in the first round of the 2024 NFL Draft. McCarthy missed his entire rookie season with an injury and suffered multiple more injuries in the 2025 season.
Even when McCarthy played in 2025, he didn’t deliver the most promising results. Could the Vikings feel desperate this offseason and make a big move? PFSN’s Ryan Guthrie recently identified the Vikings as a team that could trade for quarterback Mac Jones.
Jones is under contract with the San Francisco 49ers for one more season, but Brock Purdy is clearly entrenched as the starter. However, Jones has impressed in his opportunities and as a result, could be an intriguing option for other teams.
Regarding Jones and the Vikings, Guthrie offered the following:
The Minnesota Vikings still view J.J. McCarthy as their starter, but the keyword in Minnesota this offseason should be competition. McCarthy battled inconsistency this past year and posted a PFSN NFL QB Impact Score of 64.5, No. 37 in the league, and well below average. Despite that, the team finished 9-8, largely thanks to a dominant defense.
Jones could push McCarthy to his limits in training camp while also serving as valuable insurance given McCarthy’s injury history. And if Jones were to win the job outright, he has the experience and efficiency to elevate the Vikings back into NFC contention quickly.
However, head coach Kyle Shanahan reportedly loves Jones, and with Purdy’s extensive injury history, they may prefer to keep the veteran around.
The Vikings would likely have to blow the 49ers away with a trade offer for Jones. An early draft pick may seem like a steep price to pay for Jones, but the Vikings have had success with reclamation projects in the past.
Sam Darnold was a passer who failed at multiple stops and then revived his career in Minnesota. Perhaps head coach Kevin O’Connell sees Jones in the same light as Darnold, and would be willing to take a risk.
Jones may not transform his career like Darnold did, but he would be a great insurance policy at the very least. The Vikings had to rely on Carson Wentz and Max Brosmer in 2025, and Jones is clearly a better option than those two.
