Why Vikings must pursue Derek Carr, who's 'serious' about 2026 comeback

Derek Carr would give the Vikings another QB option besides J.J. McCarthy

In 2025, the Vikings gave 2024 pick No. 10 McCarthy the starting job after letting QB Sam Darnold sign a three-year, $100.5M deal with the Seattle Seahawks in free agency. Boy, do they look foolish, especially after Darnold piloted his new team to a Super Bowl LX victory.

McCarthy went 6-4 in 10 starts but ranked 39th among 42 eligible QBs in completion percentage (57.6%) and 36th in QBR (35.6). The QB also tossed more interceptions (12) than touchdown passes (11). 

At the NFL Scouting Combine in Indianapolis, Vikings president of football operations Rob Brzezinski expressed confidence in McCarthy but admitted they may give the QB competition this offseason. 

Per Ben Goessling of The Minnesota Star Tribune, Brzezinski said Tuesday the team is "exploring all possibilities" at QB, including signing or trading for an established starter. 

The Vikings may fit Carr's criteria. On the "Home Grown" podcast on Feb. 12, the QB said he would come out of retirement if he could play for a Super Bowl contender. The NFC North club could become that with better QB play. 

The Vikings missed the playoffs in 2025 but finished 9-8. Minnesota features star wide receiver Justin Jefferson and head coach Kevin O'Connell, a QB guru, making it an even more appealing destination.  

The Vikings will be linked to Cousins, whom the Falcons plan to release on March 11, the start of the new league year. The QB, of course, played for Minnesota from 2018-23. The four-time Pro Bowler knows Minnesota's offense, but Carr may remain the better option. 

In 2024, Carr had a 5-5 starting record, completing an above-average 67.7% of his passes for 2,145 yards, 15 touchdown passes and five interceptions. Cousins, meanwhile, went 5-3 in eight starts for the Falcons this past season, completing a subpar 61.7% of his passes for 1,721 yards, 10 TD passes and five interceptions. 

The Vikings don't believe McCarthy is the answer, and they shouldn't. With limited options in the 2026 NFL Draft and free agency, Carr's clearly one of their better options if he comes back, and it sounds like he may.