The Minnesota Vikings are in a quarterback quandary, and the clock is ticking. Their decision to wait until Day 3 of the 2025 NFL Draft to address their backup quarterback needs has backfired spectacularly. Sam Howell, acquired from the Seattle Seahawks in a fifth-round pick swap, is floundering in Kevin O’Connell’s intricate, rhythm-driven offense. Reports from training camp paint a grim picture: Howell is consistently a beat behind, throwing interceptions and failing to inspire confidence.
Alec Lewis of The Athletic noted Howell’s struggles, highlighting a practice-ending interception by safety Theo Jackson on Wednesday and another errant throw on Friday that Jackson again picked off. Monday’s padded practice under the lights, a showcase for fans, was no kinder to Howell, with the defense dominating and the young quarterback looking lost. The Vikings’ backup quarterback situation is no longer a minor concern—it’s a full-blown crisis threatening to derail their season if starter J.J. McCarthy, already coming off a lost rookie year due to a torn meniscus, suffers another setback.
The Vikings had their reasons for letting Sam Darnold and Daniel Jones walk in free agency, banking on a third-round compensatory pick for Darnold’s $100 million deal with Seattle. But bypassing proven veterans like Cooper Rush, Gardner Minshew, or Joe Flacco now looks like a gamble gone wrong. With the NFL preseason looming, Minnesota’s options for replacing Howell are dwindling, but there are still bold trade possibilities that could salvage their season. Here are three shocking trade targets the Vikings must consider to solve their QB2 disaster:
1. Tanner McKee (Philadelphia Eagles)
Tanner McKee has quietly climbed the ranks in Philadelphia, moving from a sixth-round draft pick in 2023 to Jalen Hurts’ primary backup in 2025. The Eagles’ GM, Howie Roseman, is notorious for turning roster depth into draft capital, and flipping McKee for a Day 2 pick could be tempting. The Vikings, who hosted McKee for a top-30 visit before the 2023 draft, already have a scouting report on the Stanford product.
McKee’s pocket-passing style aligns perfectly with O’Connell’s system, and his contract—running through 2026 at just $1 million per year—makes him a cost-effective solution. The catch? Philadelphia might demand more than one of Minnesota’s two 2026 third-round picks. Still, McKee could not only stabilize the backup role but also push McCarthy in practice, creating a dynamic quarterback room. If the Vikings want a long-term fix, they should make this deal happen yesterday.
2. Davis Mills (Houston Texans)
Davis Mills, a 2021 third-round pick, has flown under the radar as C.J. Stroud’s backup in Houston but brings 38 games of NFL experience to the table. His pocket presence and quick decision-making make him an ideal fit for O’Connell’s timing-based offense. CBS Sports analyst Cody Benjamin even mocked Mills to the Vikings before the 2021 draft, a sign of long-standing interest. Reports from Houston’s training camp suggest Mills is performing well, further boosting his trade value.
With his contract expiring after the 2025 season, the Texans might be open to moving Mills for a mid-round pick, especially if they’re confident in their depth behind Stroud. For Minnesota, Mills represents a reliable, plug-and-play option who could step in seamlessly if McCarthy falters. The Vikings can’t afford to sleep on this opportunity.
3. Jameis Winston (New York Giants)
If the Vikings want to inject some fireworks into their quarterback room, Jameis Winston is the answer. The veteran, who signed a two-year deal with the Giants this offseason, is buried behind Russell Wilson and rookie Jaxson Dart on New York’s depth chart. With Tommy DeVito also in the mix, the Giants might entertain trade offers for Winston, whose 154 career touchdown passes dwarf Howell’s output.
Winston’s gunslinger mentality might not perfectly match O’Connell’s precision offense, but his experience and playmaking ability would be a massive upgrade over Howell and third-stringer Brett Rypien. A McCarthy-Winston tandem would be pure entertainment, bringing veteran swagger to a team in need of a spark. The Giants may be reluctant to part with Winston, but a creative trade package could pry him loose.
The idea of a Kirk Cousins reunion in Minnesota has sparked plenty of buzz, but a trade is highly unlikely given his $180 million contract with Atlanta. However, if the Falcons shock the NFL by cutting their expensive backup, the Vikings could swoop in with a veteran minimum deal. Cousins’ familiarity with O’Connell’s system and Minnesota’s locker room makes him a dream fit, but the media frenzy surrounding his return could disrupt McCarthy’s development. For now, this remains a long shot—but stranger things have happened.
The Vikings’ decision to bank on Sam Howell as their QB2 has left them in a precarious position. With J.J. McCarthy’s injury history looming large, Minnesota can’t afford to roll into the season with an unproven backup who’s throwing interceptions in practice. Tanner McKee, Davis Mills, or Jameis Winston could provide the stability and upside the Vikings desperately need. The front office must act swiftly and decisively—dumping Howell and swinging a blockbuster trade could be the difference between a playoff push and a season lost to quarterback chaos.