The Minnesota Vikings’ quarterback situation has reached crisis point.
The team’s 37-10 loss to the Los Angeles Chargers on Thursday Night Football was largely defined by the struggles of veteran quarterback Carson Wentz, who failed to protect the football and could not muster any consistent offence.
With rookie J.J. McCarthy still recovering from injury, Wentz’s performance has pushed the Vikings (3-4) to a critical juncture ahead of the November 4th trade deadline.
Wentz’s outing, where he completed just 15-of-27 passes for 144 yards, threw an interception, and was sacked five times, immediately fueled speculation that the front office must make a move to prevent the season from collapsing entirely.
Possible trade options
| Quarterback | Current Team | Status/Context | Rationale |
| Kirk Cousins | Atlanta Falcons | Backup (Owed $10M guaranteed in 2026) | His instant command of the offense and high floor as a veteran bridge QB makes the expensive move necessary to save the season. |
| Jimmy Garoppolo | Los Angeles Rams (Backup) | Accomplished veteran with starting experience, previously with 49ers GM. | A Super Bowl-experienced manager and proven game manager who has played under systems similar to Kevin O’Connell’s. |
| Marcus Mariota | Washington Commanders (Backup) | A high-upside dual-threat QB with recent successful fill-in experience. | His mobility and efficient play when substituting for Jayden Daniels make him an ideal fit to keep the Vikings’ playbook versatile. |
Why a trade is now imperative
Wentz’s struggles, combined with J.J. McCarthy’s extended injury layoff, have exposed the Vikings’ lack of viable options.
The team, built around stars like Justin Jefferson, is too talented to tank, yet cannot rely on its current quarterback play.
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McCarthy’s Slow Return: Head Coach Kevin O’Connell confirmed McCarthy will likely return for the Week 9 clash against the Lions, but given his history of injuries and lack of confidence displayed in the opening weeks, throwing him into a high-pressure division game might be reckless.
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Need for a Higher Floor: Cousins, Garoppolo, and Mariota all offer a demonstrably higher floor than Wentz, who is showing worrying signs of the inconsistent, turnover-prone play that marred his later seasons in Philadelphia and Washington.
The clock is ticking.
The Vikings’ willingness to absorb a veteran salary before November 4th will show whether they truly believe this 3-4 team is a Super Bowl contender, or whether they are prepared to let the season slip away.
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