 at the line of scrimmage during the second quarter against the Houston Texans at NRG Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Troy Taormina-USA TODAY Sports</p>
<p>” data-medium-file=”https://vikingsterritory.com/cdn-cgi/image/width=788,height=444,fit=crop,quality=80,format=auto,onerror=redirect,metadata=none/wp-content/uploads/2026/01/USATSI_19331907.jpg” data-large-file=”https://vikingsterritory.com/cdn-cgi/image/width=1180,height=695,fit=crop,quality=80,format=auto,onerror=redirect,metadata=none/wp-content/uploads/2026/01/USATSI_19331907.jpg”><figcaption><span>Oct 30, 2022; Houston, Texas, USA; Tennessee Titans quarterback Malik Willis (7) at the line of scrimmage during the second quarter against the Houston Texans at NRG Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Troy Taormina-USA TODAY Sports</span></figcaption></figure>
<p>Daniel Jones will likely re-sign with <a href=)
the Indianapolis Colts — and he has a busted Achilles tendon. And even though that former Minnesota Vikings quarterback probably won’t be available to sign in March, the purple team will have a handful of free-agent options to support or compete with J.J. McCarthy next season. Consider these the top five.
This list is about reality: who can actually be acquired, who fits Kevin O’Connell’s offense, and what each option costs.
We don’t account for passers who might be released, such as Kirk Cousins or Kyler Murray, instead choosing from the current field of scheduled free agents.
Ranking the Quarterbacks the Vikings Could Actually Sign
The Vikings will need a quarterback, and if they prefer free agency, these are the top routes.
 throws the football during training camp at Baptist Health Training Complex. Mandatory Credit: Sam Navarro-Imagn Images</p>
<p>” data-medium-file=”https://vikingsterritory.com/cdn-cgi/image/width=788,height=444,fit=crop,quality=80,format=auto,onerror=redirect,metadata=none/wp-content/uploads/2025/08/USATSI_26731542.jpg” data-large-file=”https://vikingsterritory.com/cdn-cgi/image/width=1180,height=787,fit=crop,quality=80,format=auto,onerror=redirect,metadata=none/wp-content/uploads/2025/08/USATSI_26731542.jpg” src=”https://vikingsterritory.com/cdn-cgi/image/width=788,height=444,fit=crop,quality=80,format=auto,onerror=redirect,metadata=none/wp-content/uploads/2025/08/USATSI_26731542.jpg” alt=”Dolphins quarterback Zach Wilson throws a pass during training camp practice. Vikings QB options free agency 2026.”><figcaption>Miami Dolphins quarterback Zach Wilson (0) throws during training camp drills at the Baptist Health Training Complex in Miami Gardens on Jul 29, 2025, working through reps as coaches evaluated timing and mechanics. Wilson cycled through structured throws and movement work as Miami prepared its quarterback room for preseason competition. Mandatory Credit: Sam Navarro-Imagn Images</figcaption></figure>
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<p><strong>5. Zach Wilson</strong></p>
<p>Some will groan about Wilson, and that is fine, but most groaned about Sam Darnold after the 2021 season, too, which is where Wilson is on his career calendar. </p>
<p>With Kevin O’Connell’s tutelage, there may be some life to squeeze from Wilson, just as others have done with Darnold, Baker Mayfield, Daniel Jones, and <a href=)
Malik Willis.
Of course, the Wilson option is only viable if the Vikings still hold McCarthy in the highest regard. If they do not and instead want a real quarterback competition in July and August, Wilson isn’t the best option.
4. Aaron Rodgers
Are the groaners still reading this? Rodgers could inspire the same feeling.
Rodgers reportedly wanted to join the Vikings last year, but the team remained steadfast that McCarthy could cook. On the contrary, McCarthy struggled and got hurt three or four times in a single season. Rodgers is a sound option for Minnesota if it is lukewarm on McCarthy and wants to bide its time until the 2027 NFL Draft, where quarterbacks are a bit more shiny than that 2026 class.
Moreover, Rodgers’ weapons in Minnesota would be severely upgraded compared to his situation in Pittsburgh.
The only problem? Rodgers could return to Pittsburgh. Yahoo Sports noted this week, “The Pittsburgh Steelers will welcome back quarterback Aaron Rodgers if he decides to play next season, according to NFL Network’s Ian Rapoport.”
“In June, Rodgers signed a one-year, $13.65 million contract with the Steelers. Going into the season, Rodgers was expected to retire at season’s end. After leading the Steelers to a 10-7 record and an AFC North championship, the door has reportedly opened for the 42-year-old quarterback to play another season. While Rodgers is undecided on his future, the Steelers would reportedly love to bring him back.”
3. Joe Flacco
Flacco can pass for yards and touchdowns with the best of them, and in fact, he’s been passed around the NFL as a guy who can give a team a puncher’s chance when the starting quarterback goes down.
There’s no real indication that Flacco wants to retire, and after Philip Rivers came back at age 44 after five years on his couch, Flacco should keep going.
The Vikings can sign him for cheap, and if McCarthy gets hurt in 2026, Flacco will assuredly keep the season afloat.
2. Marcus Mariota
Mariota is 32 — young compared to the previous two men — and was just efficient enough in Washington to turn heads. Let’s face it: no free-agent options (until the next guy) can be considered long-term QB1 fixes. Neither is Mariota.
 reacts with Washington Commanders quarterback Marcus Mariota (8) after the game at U.S. Bank Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Brad Rempel-Imagn Images</p>
<p>” data-medium-file=”https://vikingsterritory.com/cdn-cgi/image/width=788,height=444,fit=crop,quality=80,format=auto,onerror=redirect,metadata=none/wp-content/uploads/2025/12/USATSI_27766759.jpg” data-large-file=”https://vikingsterritory.com/cdn-cgi/image/width=1180,height=787,fit=crop,quality=80,format=auto,onerror=redirect,metadata=none/wp-content/uploads/2025/12/USATSI_27766759.jpg” src=”https://vikingsterritory.com/cdn-cgi/image/width=788,height=444,fit=crop,quality=80,format=auto,onerror=redirect,metadata=none/wp-content/uploads/2025/12/USATSI_27766759.jpg” alt=”Vikings quarterback J.J. McCarthy talks with Marcus Mariota after a game.”><figcaption>Minnesota Vikings quarterback J.J. McCarthy (9) exchanges words with Washington Commanders quarterback Marcus Mariota after the game at U.S. Bank Stadium on Dec 7, 2025, reacting to the final outcome in Minneapolis. McCarthy showed visible emotion following the whistle as players from both teams met near midfield. Mandatory Credit: Brad Rempel-Imagn Images</figcaption></figure>
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<p>But Mariota, like Flacco, could keep Minnesota’s season humming for a few weeks if injuries rattle McCarty. Mariota would likely be a smidge more productive and mobile than <a href=)
Carson Wentz.
The ship has sailed, though, on Mariota having a career renaissance like Darnold and Mayfield. He’s not that good. The Vikings would be signing a high-end QB2.
1. Malik Willis
Willis has balled out in a limited sample with the Packers as of late. Heading into the 2022 NFL Draft, many draft heads pegged him as 1st-Rounder, possibly going in the Top 10 that year to the Carolina Panthers. But then Willis tumbled, chosen by the Tennessee Titans in Round 3. The Titans later gave up on him immediately because that’s what the Titans do.
In the 2026 offseason, some team will grab Willis from free agency and give him an audition as a QB1. It’s going to happen.
And although Willis isn’t really a volume passer like O’Connell prefers, there’s a world where the Vikings sign him to compete with McCarthy this summer. He won’t cost any draft picks via trade; his contract won’t be egregiously expensive.
 against the Atlanta Falcons during warmup at Nissan Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Steve Roberts-USA TODAY Sports</p>
<p>” data-medium-file=”https://vikingsterritory.com/cdn-cgi/image/width=788,height=444,fit=crop,quality=80,format=auto,onerror=redirect,metadata=none/wp-content/uploads/2025/12/USATSI_21787935.jpg” data-large-file=”https://vikingsterritory.com/cdn-cgi/image/width=1180,height=787,fit=crop,quality=80,format=auto,onerror=redirect,metadata=none/wp-content/uploads/2025/12/USATSI_21787935.jpg” src=”https://vikingsterritory.com/cdn-cgi/image/width=788,height=444,fit=crop,quality=80,format=auto,onerror=redirect,metadata=none/wp-content/uploads/2025/12/USATSI_21787935.jpg” alt=”Titans quarterback Malik Willis warms up on the field before a game.”><figcaption>Tennessee Titans quarterback Malik Willis (7) warms up at Nissan Stadium on Oct 29, 2023, going through pregame throws ahead of a matchup with the Atlanta Falcons in Nashville. Willis loosened his arm and reviewed signals as the Titans finalized preparations during on-field warmups. Mandatory Credit: Steve Roberts-USA TODAY Sports</figcaption></figure>
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<p>Willis is the only free-agent quarterback who could effectuate the Darnold or Mayfield narrative. Minnesota helped Darnold do this exact thing in 2024. </p>
<p>The Packers’ passer is the top get for the Vikings in free agency because of his upside, price, and availability. Sadly, many teams will feel this way, which could lead to a bidding war.</p>
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