Vikings Receive Strong QB Directive With Trade Deadline Approaching
The Minnesota Vikings are back at the drawing board at quarterback before the trade deadline, with Carson Wentz on injured reserve and J.J. McCarthy making his return from a six-week (five-game) absence due to an ankle injury.
That leaves them with one option in ESPN NFL insider Adam Schefter’s estimation.
The Vikings must pursue a trade for a veteran, which adds even more uncertainty to a team that won 14 games in 2024, but is off to a 3-4 start in 2025.
Vikings ‘Have to Add’ Veteran QB
Following Wentz’s injury, McCarthy and rookie undrafted free agent Max Brosmer are the only healthy quarterbacks on the Vikings’ roster as the trade deadline nears. With a veteran-laden roster, featuring star wide receiver Justin Jefferson, the Vikings are expected to act accordingly.
However, Schefter also tamped down expectations for a blockbuster move.
Schefter also pointed out that the Vikings had a plan in place with Wentz before signing him to their roster.
“The Minnesota Vikings are going to have to add a veteran quarterback. I don’t think it’s a high-profile move. But look, when they traded Sam Howell before the season, they had Carson Wentz waiting in the wings,” Schefter told Ty Schmidt on “The Adam Schefter Podcast” on October 28. “
“Two quarterbacks on their roster are J.J. McCarthy and Max Bromer. Two young quarterbacks. Vikings have to add a veteran quarterback at some point in time here, you would think, by the trade deadline. We’ll see what happens there with the Minnesota Vikings.”
The 2025 trade deadline is on November 4 at 4 p.m. ET.
Vikings Face Harsh Truth About QB Room
While Schefter expects more of a minor move, colleague Benjamin Solak suggested that the Vikings trade for Indianapolis Colts QB Anthony Richardson, after arguing they are feeling the sting of their decision not to retain Sam Darnold.
“The book is not shut on McCarthy, who has just two starts under his belt. But it’s closing quickly, all while Darnold is shredding in Seattle,” Solak wrote on October 28. “This is just about as bad of a runout as the Vikings could have gotten on their March decision — a much trickier one than many gave it credit for at the time. It could have gone the other way, but it didn’t. And now Minnesota is scrambling for an offensive identity and a return to contention.”
The same could apply to Colts starter Daniel Jones, whose success has made Richardson a potential trade target.
“With Carson Wentz now on season-ending injured reserve, the QB2 job is once again open for grabs in Minnesota — and with it comes a serious opportunity to start,” Solak wrote. “Who will they target.
“What about Richardson, the fourth overall pick from 2023 who never panned out for the Colts?”
Vikings Trade Pitch Lands Colts QB Anthony Richardson Amid Push
Solak also suggested a potential trade package the Vikings could offer to land Richardson, in which Minnesota would send mid-round draft capital to the Colts for the dynamic passer.
Vikings get:
- Anthony Richardson
- 2026 fifth-round draft pick
Colts get:
- 2026 third-round draft pick
- 2027 conditional seventh-round draft pick (can become fifth-rounder)
Solak noted that Richardson, who is on injured reserve with an orbital fracture, has similar durability concerns as McCarthy. Richardson would also need Vikings head coach Kevin O’Connell to tailor the offense to his skill set.
“I don’t think Richardson would walk in and immediately start,” Solak wrote. “But if McCarthy continues to struggle getting his ankle back to health, then Richardson would get a crack at the starting gig after a week or two of learning the offense. If McCarthy gets back in time, Richardson gives Minnesota another young dart throw at a position where it must hit on a cost-controlled player to keep the rest of the roster paid.”
'Crying on the Ground': Justin Fields Has Emotional Message After Jets’ First Win
Justin Fields delivered an emotional performance Sunday that resonated beyond the field. After a week filled with criticism and uncertainty, the New York Jets quarterback guided his team to a long-awaited victory and shared a heartfelt reflection afterward.
New York snapped its seven-game losing streak with a dramatic 39-38 win over the Cincinnati Bengals, led by Fields’ strong showing and a late-game trick play that sealed the result. The comeback came just days after team owner Woody Johnson publicly questioned Fields’ performance and leadership following a winless start to the season.
Oct 5, 2025; East Rutherford, New Jersey, USA; New York Jets quarterback Justin Fields (7) is pressured by Dallas Cowboys linebacker Marist Liufau (35) during the second half at MetLife Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Vincent Carchietta-Imagn Images
Fields’ response came through both resilience and results. Completing 21 of 32 passes for 244 yards and a touchdown, he orchestrated an impressive fourth-quarter rally that erased a 14-point deficit. Beyond the stat line, it symbolized a moment of redemption for a player who had faced public doubt, a benching, and growing pressure from within the organization.
Behind that triumph, Fields revealed the emotional toll of the criticism and struggled privately with the weight of expectations. He spoke of moments spent alone in prayer, finding strength through family messages and faith to persevere. His admission underscored the human side of an athlete often judged by numbers and outcomes rather than emotion or endurance.
Justin Fields Shares Emotional Message After Leading New York Jets to First Win of the Season
Fields shared his thoughts after New York got its first win of the season with him as the quarterback. This can be seen in a video shared by Ari Meirov on X.
NFL quarterback Justin Fields (7) is sacked in the second quarter, Sunday, October 5, 2025.
The locker room rallied around Fields after the final whistle, with teammates and coaches recognizing the emotional depth behind his performance. The victory not only restored a sense of belief within the team but also offered Fields a chance to regain confidence and quiet outside noise as the Jets head into their bye week.
New York Jets quarterback Justin Fields (7) looks for an open teammate, Sunday, September 14, 2025, in East Rutherford.
Fields’ message extended far beyond football. In a week defined by scrutiny, he turned adversity into a moment of gratitude, showing that vulnerability can coexist with leadership in professional sports.
Aug 16, 2025; East Rutherford, New Jersey, USA; New York Jets quarterback Justin Fields (7) drops back to pass during the first quarter against the New York Giants at MetLife Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Vincent Carchietta-Imagn Images
