For a little while, the idea of making a move for quarterback Mac Jones was among the top Vikings rumors. Soon enough, reality is going to arrive, allowing everyone to learn about how robust the interest is in the backup passer over in San Francisco.

On The Athletic, Matt Barrows and Vic Tafur suggest that Minnesota may opt for a cheaper option.

“The Minnesota Vikings were supposedly very interested,” the authors explain, “and there were a few teams that also needed someone like Jones, who won five games for the 49ers off the bench last season and is still only 27 years old. But a lot of those openings, it turns out, weren’t so open.”

Not too long afterwards, the quarterbacks who get linked to the Vikings are Anthony Richardson, Kyler Murray, Geno Smith, Kirk Cousins, and Tua Tagovailoa. Minnesota, evidently, will be keen to explore those who can be acquired without losing picks rather than pulling off a pricey trade.

Vikings Rumor: Mac Jones as a Purple Passer (Possibly)

Mike Florio of Pro Football Talk makes note of the news, as well.

Florio writes: “With plenty of free-agent options currently available — and with more coming as cuts are made — quarterback-needy teams are far more likely to consider players who could be acquired without losing a draft pick […] Jones is due to make only $3.25 million in 2026. If someone trades for him with the idea of making him the starter or a competitor for the job, he may want a raise. That adds another wrinkle to the situation.”

Florio is exactly right. Employing a passer for cheap sounds great, but would Mac Jones still be cheap if he got picked up by the Vikings? If not, then that’s an important factor to consider.

To be sure, there’s much that remains to be determined.

Consider, for instance, the basic update about Minnesota looking to move on from DT Javon Hargrave and RB Aaron Jones. Cutting these well-paid veterans is going to happen…unless there’s a trade. The thinking is that Minnesota will hold onto these players to see if they can pry away a pick (or two) once NFL teams strike out on attracting free agent talent in the early moments of free agency.

See the overlap in the rationale? Teams aren’t going to jump at Hargrave and Jones right now because there are cheaper options. If, however, other teams land the coveted talent, then maybe there’s a front office willing to lessen the coffers a touch to bring one of these players to town.

Likewise, San Francisco could be experiencing the calm before the storm. NFL free agency is bound to lead to some teams failing to sign the desired passer(s). The pivot could therefore be to pickup the phone to see about prying away Mr. Jones.

The Vikings need a competent veteran quarterback. Prior to getting fired, Kwesi Adofo-Mensah talked about the quarterback issue. Kevin O’Connell and Rob Brzezinski have since echoed a similar sentiment, talking openly about the apparent need to shore up the QB spot.

What’s also needed in Minnesota (urgently) is to crush the draft. Trading away a pick for a passer thus looks like a “stealing from Peter to pay for Paul” situation. Much preferable would be filling the QB need without losing draft picks.

Indeed, shipping out a precious pick — or, quite possibly, a talented receiver — is a tough pill to swallow. Not impossible, but not the first choice.

Already, the NFL is seeing trades take place. The Vikings appear likely to get into the action before too long, but the Mac Jones rumor may end up being much ado about nothing.

Senior Editor for Vikings Territory & PurplePTSD . Twitter & Bluesky: @VikingsGazette. Email: k.joudry[at]vikingsterritory[dot]com. Canadian. Jude 1:24-25.

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