Kevin O'Connell weighs in on Vikings' QB depth ahead of NFL trade deadline

The Minnesota Vikings have played musical quarterbacks so far this season. Second-year player J.J. McCarthy started the first two games of the season for Minnesota, but he was knocked out of action and sidelined for several weeks with a high-ankle sprain.

In McCarthy’s absence, veteran Carson Wentz stepped in and started five consecutive games for the Vikings before ultimately being ruled out for the rest of the season due to a shoulder injury that required surgery.

Luckily for Minnesota, McCarthy was able to return from his injury just as Wentz was diagnosed with his, so the Vikings got their starter back. But, Wentz’s injury left the Vikings with questionable depth behind McCarthy, as rookie Max Brosmer is the only other quarterback on the active roster.

This led to some speculation that the Vikings could look to bolster the position with a veteran acquisition prior to the trade deadline. Veteran backups like Kirk Cousins or Russell Wilson could potentially be available for the right price.

However, recent comments from Vikings head coach Kevin O’Connell make the addition of an another quarterback seem somewhat unlikely. O’Connell said that he is “pretty comfortable” with Minnesota’s QB depth as currently constructed. He also lauded the practice squad addition of veteran signal-caller John Wolford, who O'Connell would ultimately like to add to the 53-man roster.

"I think with bringing John in, it was something where we wanted to make sure we had a third guy in the room, a guy I know very well,” O’Connell said. “He immediately picked up where I remember being with John -- super smart, has a pretty high level of quickness and athleticism, quick twitch for a release and kind of a tight window thrower kind of guy that can activate a lot of different throw types. And he's got experience understanding how our pass offense works and how we want to operate.

“So as he said, he's the old man in the room now, and I think that's important for two young guys."

O’Connell previously worked with Wolford during his time as the offensive coordinator with the Los Angeles Rams, and he was clearly impressed with the quarterback during their time together. Wolford was a backup in L.A. from 2020 to 2022, and he started four games during that span. 

Of course, O’Connell’s comments don’t mean that the Vikings definitely won’t add a quarterback via trade. Minnesota’s front office is assuredly doing its due diligence, as it should. Ultimately, they’ll have to decide if it’s worth it to part with assets for a player who won’t see the field if all goes well with McCarthy for the rest of the season.