Vikings QB search: Kyler, Kirk, A-Rodg or someone else?
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Kyler Murray and Kirk Cousins. Photos: Norm Hall/Getty Images and David Berding/Getty Images
NFL free agency negotiations begin Monday morning and the Vikings are once again in the market for a new quarterback.
Why it matters: The Vikings' approach in free agency will signal how much faith they still have in J.J. McCarthy, who missed his 2024 rookie season to injury and had an up-and-down 2025 campaign.
State of play: It's not clear whether the Vikings are still in win-now mode.
- They fired their general manager in late January.
- And they're slashing payroll, with reports surfacing that running back Aaron Jones and defensive tackles Jonathan Allen and Javon Hargrave will be traded or released.
Names to watch
🏜️ Kyler Murray: The former No. 1 overall pick will be cut by the Cardinals. ESPN reported he's expected to sign a contract for the league minimum salary of $1.3 million, since Arizona still has to pay him $36.8 million.
- Murray's been inconsistent over his career, but has perhaps the most talent of the players available. Vikings insider Kevin Seifert said he's at or near the top of the team's list.
🏴☠️ Geno Smith: He had a down year with the Raiders last season, but he fits the style of head coach Kevin O'Connell. Las Vegas, which is expected to draft Heisman winner Fernando Mendoza with the first overall pick, is planning to cut Smith loose.
🦅 Kirk Cousins: You like that? Some Vikings fans won't, but he's another quarterback likely to play for a minimum salary after the Falcons cut him. Plus, he knows O'Connell's system and how to get Justin Jefferson the ball.
👴🏻 Aaron Rodgers: He wanted to come to Minnesota last summer, but the Vikings stuck with McCarthy. Rodgers put up serviceable numbers with Pittsburgh and led the team to a division title, but had a bad playoff game and turns 43 in December,
🧀 Malik Willis: The Packers backup has been impressive filling in for Jordan Love a few times in the last two years and has a high upside.
- But he will command a sizable contract and the Vikings will need to slash $45 million in payroll jus to get under the salary cap.