Vikings Lose Third QB in NFL Free Agency Shake-Up

Originally posted on Athlon Sports | By Trevor Squire | Last updated Mar 11, 2025 11:48 AM ET

The Minnesota Vikings made it clear that J.J. McCarthy was the quarterback of the future, but veteran insurance is needed to protect the 22-year-old quarterback from being rushed into playing.

Sam Darnold left for a starting job with the Seattle Seahawks, which was a given after the 27-year-old won 14 games last season.

However, the Vikings' contingency plans have not followed through.

The longest-tenured quarterback in Minnesota, Nick Mullens signed a two-year deal to join the Jacksonville Jaguars.

And finally, after spending the final two months of the 2024 season with the Vikings, Daniel Jones made his decision.

According to ESPN's Adam Schefter, Jones is finalizing a one-year, $14 million deal with the Indianapolis Colts. Jones was the Vikings' preferred option to pair with McCarthy in a presumptive camp battle where McCarthy would have the inside lane.

The former New York Giants quarterback is poised to compete with third-year quarterback Anthony Richardson in Cols training camp after Richardson was benched last season.

Jones' $14 million deal with the Colts exceeds the one-year, $10 million contract Darnold signed to be the Vikings' bridge last year. Minnesota likely made an effort to re-sign Jones in that same ballpark, and Indianapolis was willing to go above and beyond to secure Jones, who seems to have a clearer path to playing time in Indy.

Now, that leaves the Vikings with fewer options to restore a quarterback room once brimming with first-round talent. Currently, Brett Rypien and McCarthy are the only quarterbacks on the depth chart.

Expect Minnesota to make a move for a veteran backup in the coming days, however, it won't be quite the same camp battle as expected as it appears to be McCarthy's job to lose going forward.

Aaron Rodgers, Russell Wilson, Jacoby Brissett, Taylor Heinecke, Joe Flacco, Mac Jones and Carson Wentz are some notable names available.

This article first appeared on Athlon Sports and was syndicated with permission.

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