Rumor Begins Swirling about the Vikings Setting Off Fireworks if QBs Stumble

Already, people are looking ahead to what could take place in 2027, especially those with a penchant for the NFL Draft. Do the Vikings get frisky in April of 2027? A rumor has already begun.

Jordan Reid, ESPN, is among the foremost draft nerds out there. His opinion is one that I value, taking it not as gospel but as a thoughtful, well-informed perspective. He recently offered a piece about the growing enthusiasm for the talent out there in the 2027 NFL Draft. At the very end, Mr. Reid shoehorned the Vikings into the mix.

The Vikings Could Get Frisky in ’27 Draft

Consider the final paragraph in full to get a sense of what Reid considers a possibility.

“One more team to watch is the Minnesota Vikings,” Reid writes. “New general manager Nolan Teasley is looking to replenish a roster that lacks high-end talent and depth, but their biggest issue is the uncertainty at QB. But the Vikings have an extra third-round pick thanks to the Jonathan Greenard trade. If neither J.J. McCarthy nor Kyler Murray present as the Vikings’ long-term quarterback, Minnesota could take advantage of the extra draft capital to secure one of the many top-flight QBs who should be available on Days 1 and 2.”

Keep in mind, folks, that the insight gets shared in the section titled “Which NFL teams are best set up to capitalize?”

Obviously, there’s a lot that would need to go wrong before the Vikings seek to orchestrate a rim-rattling trade. Reid’s thinking, though, isn’t totally without basis or merit.

J.J. McCarthy has mostly struggled since being chosen at No. 10 overall in the 2024 NFL Draft. Talent isn’t lacking. What has been a major issue, though, has been his health. Proving unable to stay on the field within the NFL is the primary concern. If he can stay healthy, can McCarthy turn into at least a good passer?

And then there’s Kyler Murray.

He, too, has worked through injury concerns. He, too, got chosen high — No. 1 by the Cardinals in the 2019 NFL Draft — before encountering some turbulence. He appears to be a clunky fit with the Vikings but has a pile of talent. Putting in the work to prove doubters wrong could lead to Minnesota having a new QB1 for the next five-to-ten seasons.

What’s not entirely clear is whether Kevin O’Connell can survive a season of QB turmoil.

So far, Coach O’Connell has been given a free pass since his pair of bad seasons coincided with brutal injury luck. The former Rams OC had to work with all of Kirk Cousins, Nick Mullens, Jaren Hall, and Josh Dobbs in 2023. There was then McCarthy, Carson Wentz, and Max Brosmer in 2025. Not easy, that’s for sure.

But then there’s another clear reality: O’Connell’s two good seasons led to getting dismantled early in the playoffs. Boasting an 0-2 record in the final tournament is nothing to boast about.

Quite possibly, the Vikings do make a move for a young arm in the 2027 NFL Draft. Ample talent exists and there’s a path forward where the current passers struggle.

Do note, though, that there’s so much that needs to take place before these possibilities get close to becoming a reality. Reid’s status as among the top draft analysts out there is what gives the rumor credence.

McCarthy, Murray, and the rest of the Minnesota Vikings begin training camp this week.

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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