For the first time in a decade, the 2025 season saw the Minnesota Vikings fail to produce a 3,500-yard passer. By a lot. With Kwesi Adofo-Mensah abruptly dismissed four weeks ago, the order of the day is clear: Fix the quarterback problem, and fast.

For shadow-interim GM Rob Brzezinski (who, considering he's been with the team since the Red McCombs days would figure to be a candidate for the permanent gig), how best to go about doing that is quite the interesting proposition. Originally brought aboard to expedite the Vikings' departure from perpetual salary cap discomfort, Adofo-Mensah leaves behind a team ledger that shows the Vikings already $48 million over the 2026 cap, with around $104 million in 2026 relief available to them via non-excruciating contract restructures. This is still one of the most cap-constrained front offices in the league.

Bearing that in mind, let's set about handicapping which veteran quarterbacks make the most sense for a Vikings team that might be one right answer away from a real postseason run.

The Candidates

Mac Jones

There's a ton of smoke billowing on the 'Mac to Minnesota' front. And it would make plenty of sense: Jones was very good when filling in for Brock Purdy last year, and figures to get another crack at being a franchise signal caller somewhere soon. Plus, Minnesota and San Francisco have done some recent business together.

But there are some real obstacles here. First, the 49ers really probably would prefer to keep Jones for as long as possible — they've learned this lesson the hard way. That's going to make the trade compensation significant, likely a second-round pick. Considering Adofo-Mensah's penchant for sending away mid-round draft picks, fair to wonder how much appetite the Vikings have for that at the moment.

Furthermore, Jones would immediately command a significant financial commitment likely in the range of the the 3-yr/$100.5 million agreement that Sam Darnold received last year. The Vikings could backload a hypothetical contract to make his 2026 cap number lower, but that would mean committing both sins of the Adofo-Mensah and Rick Spielman regimes. Throw in Adofo-Mensah landing in the Bay Area and this is not the no brainer some have suggested.

Likelihood: Moderate

Kyler Murray

I've warmed to this one. While some have posited that Murray could get a second third lease on life with Mike LaFleur's arrival, all insider indications are emphatic: Murray's done in Arizona. The only question is whether the Cardinals can salvage anything via trade, or if they'll have to simply cut their losses and release him on March 14th.

Once free agency opens on March 11th and the first wave of signings takes place, if Minnesota hasn't landed somebody and Arizona releases Murray, then and only then could we see Murray and the Vikings bed down together for the season. With the Cardinals still on the hook to him for $36.8 million in 2026 money, the Vikings could then theoretically sign him for as little as the veteran minimum as the two sides bet on each other to further their respective interests.

The tricky bit: How much would Kevin O'Connell have to bend it down to meet Murray's ability to run his offense? The 2025 Vikings were undone by a quarterback that could not process what defenses were throwing at him; it's no longer remotely clear that Murray addresses that problem.

So, the inroad for Murray here would appear to come down to money: If he is released and willing to sign cheaply enough, he could be attractive as a budget-friendly stopgap.

Likelihood, If Released: Low/Moderate
Likelihood, Not Released: Zero

Kirk Cousins

Reunited, and it feels so good? A financial impossibility just two months ago, the post-Fontenot Falcons' first order of business was agreeing to furnish the ever-savvy Cousins with an agreeable Atlanta exit plan. Just like in 2024, Cousins will be free to sign with a team of his choosing in just two short weeks. Two years ago he was one of the first free agency dominos to fall, so if 'Kirko' already has an idea of where he'll be playing in 2026 it will come as no surprise.

Alas, there's that durned m-word again. Minnesota would prefer not to spend big on a short-term quarterback solution, and they'd especially prefer not to spend big against the 2026 cap number. That definitely works against a potential reunion here, as Cousins has routinely commanded big money over his career.

Considering any deal with Cousins will be short-term, that limits Minnesota's ability to kick the cap hit can down the road with him. It's very possible Minnesota simply can't justify the financials on a Cousins deal.

Likelihood: Low/Moderate

Derek Carr

But what if there was another way? A veteran option like Cousins, one that also offered the possibility of playing beyond just 2026, that has shown the ability to be a successful pocket passer before? Enter the faux-retired Derek Carr, who has made it a point to make sure front offices far and wide know he's got football left in him. Carr wants a shot at a ring, eliminating some of Minnesota's QB-needy competition. And interestingly enough, promoted assistant Jordan Traylor was in New Orleans with Carr two years ago.

But again, there's a catch. When Carr announced his retirement last year, most of his prohibitive $51.5 million cap hit for the Saints was rolled into 2026. While the Saints have clearly moved on, if they're going to move him rather than simply releasing him, they'll want either some relief from his $36 million cap number, or a player/draft pick. If the Vikings, Saints and Carr can agree on a contract extension that creates immediate cap relief for New Orleans, then I think we have our leading candidate — this is increasingly the way the wind is blowing.

Likelihood: Moderate/High

Aaron Rodgers

I know, I know. You're tired of the Aaron Rodgers speculation news cycle, I'm tired of it, we've all just had enough. If I could omit him I would, but the fit here is just a little too plausible to overlook. At 42, Rodgers is not the player he once was, and probably not even the player he was after the player he once was. His mobility is gone, and he'll be a walking injury risk for any NFL games he yet manages to play. But Rodgers played for Pittsburgh for a scant $13.7 million last year - the Jets are going to pay Justin Fields more than that in 2026 just to go away.

Probably that's not the way to go here. Rodgers is more likely to return to Pittsburgh for a season with old pal Mike McCarthy, and even if they did sign him they might need more insurance behind him than just McCarthy. But if they want to play for 2026 and 2026 alone, a rickety Rodgers might just be the Vikings' best course of action.

Likelihood: Low

The Field

And then we have the true longshots. Geno Smith could make some sense, especially if released, but suddenly Klint Kubiak is making overtures that he wants to keep him around for now. Malik Willis and former Viking Daniel Jones are the two biggest free agent names at the position, but both are just going to be too expensive for Minnesota to seriously pursue (who'd a thunk?). Tua Tagovailoa is likely to be on the street soon, but we have to think Minnesota would insist on one of the more resource-intensive options before going down that road. The future of Jacoby Brissett in Arizona got a lot cloudier with the Jonathon Gannon firing, and they've been connected to multiple alternatives of late. Joe Flacco could venture west of the Mississippi for just the second of his 19 NFL seasons. And then there's the trio of Tyson Bagent, Davis Mills and Tanner McKee, all of whom have generated faint trade murmurs in the recent days. And there's always Russell Wi- just kidding, not a chance.

Some of these could theoretically happen, but one thing Minnesota has going for it is that it is the universally preferred destination of most of the quarterbacks on this list; they might strike out on a couple of these guys for money or trade compensation reasons, but they won't strike out on them all. Barring an absolute knuckleball development, the Vikings' Week 1 starter will be one of the names further up the list.

Likelihood: Near-zero

—Luke Wilson