Jake Paul’s business partner and co-founder of MVP Promotions, Nakisa Bidarian, has highlighted three possible options for the internet star’s next outing.

The 29-year-old comes off a sixth-round stoppage defeat to Anthony Joshua in December, when a crushing right hand caused his jaw to break in two places.

Prior to the finish, Paul had spent most of their fight in survival mode, doing his best to evade each of Joshua’s attacks while repeatedly throwing himself to the canvas.

Given the terrific size difference between them, though, Paul could perhaps be forgiven for not wishing to engage with his hard-hitting opponent.

He is, after all, far from a natural heavyweight, and with such limited professional boxing experience, too, it seems that he has now made the wise decision to move back down to 200lbs.

Paul weighed just under 184lbs, in fact, when he suffered his only other defeat, via a split decision against Tommy Fury, in 2023.

Since then, the pair have expressed varying degrees of interest in a potential rematch, which MVP promoter Bidarian has named as a fight that ‘should be made.’

Speaking with Boxing Social, Bidarian discussed the likelihood of Fury-Paul 2 while, at the same time, mentioning Viddal Riley and Darren Till as possible opponents.

“The most obvious [opponent] is Tommy Fury – that’s a fight that should be made if Tommy is reasonable, in terms of what the terms are of the fight.

“But I think Viddal Riley’s an interesting fight; I think Darren Till’s an interesting fight. Those three names come to mind as interesting fights.”

British champion Riley and would be considered an almighty favourite against Paul, with his most notable wins having come against Cheavon Clarke and Mikael Lawal.

Former UFC fighter Till, meanwhile, is perhaps a more favourable option for Paul, given that their levels of boxing experience are not exactly worlds apart.

This is not a secret: the Minnesota Vikings will onboard a new quarterback this offseason, either to support J.J. McCarthy as a veteran backup or compete for his job at training camp. And thanks to NFL Network‘s Tom Pelissero, an early list is reportedly on the table, including Kirk Cousins, Mac Jones, Kyler Murray, and Geno Smith.

Pelissero’s list puts Cousins, Jones, Murray, and Smith in the Vikings’ orbit as Minnesota weighs its big quarterback decision.

It’s not a list from heaven, but Minnesota could do much worse.

Pelissero’s List Illuminates Minnesota’s Quarterback Plan

The quarterback position takes center stage early in the Vikings’ offseason.

Kirk Cousins

If Cousins’ return to Minnesota is a genuine possibility, the central question becomes not whether it happens, but what role he would fill.

Cousins was an undisputed QB1 for years, but that’s no longer the case. A reunion would be complex, and Kevin O’Connell would face three options: immediately install Cousins as the Week 1 starter, allow him to compete with J.J. McCarthy, or use him as a strictly backup option — the same insurance role he was projected for in Atlanta in 2025.

In 2023, his last season as Minnesota’s starter, Cousins ranked fifth in the NFL among quarterbacks in EPA per play. In 2024, that number plummeted to 30th out of 35 qualifying passers. Any assessment must consider his torn Achilles from a few years ago; projecting Cousins’ performance in 2026 demands more realism and less nostalgia.

The primary allure of a return lies in the financial aspect. Because the Falcons have essentially already paid Cousins — handsomely — for 2026, his next contract will likely be a bargain. That changes the discourse significantly. The cap-related frustration that followed him from 2018 to 2023 disappears if his salary aligns with that of a backup.

If affordability eliminates the resentment that once surrounded Cousins, will parts of the fanbase that rejected him at his previous price now embrace him at a discount — especially if his role is flexible rather than guaranteed? Who knows.

Mac Jones

The main item surrounding Jones’s 2026 plans isn’t if he can start in the NFL, but what it would cost to acquire him.

In 2025, Jones started eight games for San Francisco, leading the 49ers to a 5–3 record. Extrapolated to a full season, those numbers project to 4,570 passing yards, 28 touchdowns, 13 interceptions, and a 69.6 percent completion rate. That’s Top 15 QB stuff.

Those statistics are also comparable to Sam Darnold’s 2024 season, the same year Minnesota finished 14–3. Neither Jones’s recent game film nor his efficiency metrics suggest he would suddenly regress in Minnesota.

San Francisco is positioned to capitalize on the desperation of quarterback-needy teams via trade, and Minnesota must decide if it will enter the Jones sweepstakes. Jones is a good fit for many teams. Ultimately, interim general manager Rob Brzezinski must decide if sending 1st- or 2nd-Round pick to The Bay — or something similar — is worth it.

Kyler Murray

Murray’s talent is evident, regardless of other options.

Over seven seasons, his EPA+CPOE numbers exceed those of Baker Mayfield, C.J. Stroud, Trevor Lawrence, and Daniel Jones — all quarterbacks currently projected to start in 2026. That established efficiency isn’t negotiable, even though some Vikings fans are oddly hesitant about Murray to Minnesota.

Arizona’s situation strengthens Murray’s case for change. With a new head coach, the Cardinals seem ready to move on after seven years and just one playoff appearance with Murray. The man could be traded any day or released in March.

Considering only realistic possibilities, Murray quickly emerges as a top candidate. Based on his career production and status as the No. 1 overall pick in 2019, he represents the best quarterback Minnesota could realistically acquire this offseason, barring improbable trades involving players like Joe Burrow or Lamar Jackson.

Murray has everything going for him on any given Sunday — aside from height — passing accuracy, arm strength, speed, mobility, and experience.

Geno Smith

Smith’s extensive resume sets him apart from many quarterbacks available this offseason, making him an attractive option for teams that want stability and insurance.

Since 2013, Smith has started 98 games, with his teams compiling a 42–56 record along the way. He averages roughly 203 passing yards per game, with a touchdown-to-interception ratio of 124 to 89, and has added 12 rushing touchdowns.

Seattle’s decision to name him their starter in 2022 revitalized his career, as Smith seized the opportunity, delivering a breakout season with 4,282 passing yards and 30 touchdowns. He retained the role for three seasons before joining the Raiders via trade, which propelled the Seahawks to a Super Bowl win after signing Sam Darnold in 2025 free agency.

However, Smith’s tenure in Las Vegas appears short-lived. With the Raiders widely expected to draft Indiana quarterback Fernando Mendoza using the first overall pick in April, Smith could be traded or demoted. Should he seek a new team, Minnesota is a decent landing spot for all parties.

It’s worth noting that Smith will turn 36 in October.