The Minnesota Vikings are in the market for a veteran quarterback to serve as a bridge while J.J. McCarthy continues recovering from meniscus surgery last August.
Sam Darnold stepped into that role and delivered a Pro Bowl-caliber season, throwing for 4,319 yards and 35 touchdowns while leading the team to 14 wins. Whether he chooses to re-sign or explore other opportunities, the Vikings will need to address the quarterback position.
One under-the-radar option, should Darnold depart, is Los Angeles Rams quarterback Matthew Stafford. His ongoing contract negotiations with the Rams have become tense, even prompting a public suggestion from his wife that he consider moving to a new team.
If Stafford becomes available, the Vikings are the betting favorites to land him at +300 odds, according to SportsBetting.ag. A reunion with head coach Kevin O’Connell, who worked with Stafford as the Rams’ offensive coordinator during their 2021 Super Bowl run, makes Minnesota a compelling landing spot.
Acquiring Matthew Stafford would be an all-in move for a Vikings team that believes it is just a quarterback away from true contention.
Minnesota thrived with Sam Darnold in 2024, securing 14 regular-season wins before its weaknesses were exposed in the playoffs. The Rams, led by Stafford, dominated the Vikings’ offensive line, which allowed a record nine sacks in their postseason matchup. With a projected $65 million in cap space, Minnesota has the financial flexibility to reinforce its offensive front.
However, trading for Stafford under his current deal presents a major cap challenge. His $49.7 million cap hit for 2025 would require creative restructuring, either by spreading the financial burden over future seasons or making significant adjustments elsewhere on the roster. Given those constraints, the Vikings are unlikely to pursue Stafford unless he agrees to a more team-friendly contract.
A similar situation applies to Darnold, who proved his worth as a legitimate starting quarterback and is now in line for a substantial payday. The Vikings have a price they’re willing to pay for either quarterback, but it may not match what other teams—particularly those in more desperate need of stability under center—are willing to offer.
J.J. McCarthy Remains the Vikings’ Future/Plans
Since taking over in 2022, Vikings general manager Kwesi Adofo-Mensah and head coach Kevin O’Connell have balanced staying competitive while positioning the franchise for the future.
Years of doubling down on an aging core that once reached the NFC Championship left the team with bloated veteran contracts that no longer justified their cap impact. As a result, the Vikings moved on from key franchise figures, including Dalvin Cook, Adam Thielen, Eric Kendricks, Danielle Hunter, and, most notably, Kirk Cousins.
Despite these changes, Minnesota exceeded expectations in 2024, finishing well above their preseason over/under of 6.5 wins. It was a testament to O’Connell’s coaching and Adofo-Mensah’s first true free agency class without the financial constraints of Cousins’ contract. He added Pro Bowl edge rushers Andrew Van Ginkel and Jonathan Greenard, as well as linebacker Blake Cashman—crucial pieces in Brian Flores’ much-improved defense. The Vikings also had room to sign Aaron Jones and late addition Stephon Gilmore in August.
Minnesota accomplished all of this while absorbing $70 million in dead cap from past deals, including payouts to Cousins, Hunter, and others. Now, with those financial burdens cleared, the Vikings enter this offseason with an estimated $65 million in cap space—the most in franchise history. With McCarthy at the center of their long-term plans and carrying a modest $5.5 million annual salary through 2027, the team can focus on building an elite roster around him.
Any significant deviation from the plan to make McCarthy the future franchise quarterback would likely signal desperation. While O’Connell recently received a contract extension, Adofo-Mensah has yet to secure his own, which could lead to bold moves if he feels pressure to prove himself. However, expectations remain that he will navigate this pivotal offseason effectively and receive an extension in the coming months.
Leave a Reply