Vikings' 5 best QB options to upgrade from injured Kyler Murray, from Carson Wentz to Kirk Cousins

Vikings' 5 best QB options to upgrade from injured Kyler Murray, from Carson Wentz to Kirk Cousins originally appeared on The Sporting News . Add The Sporting News as a Preferred Source by clicking here . The Vikings , despite a 6-1 record going into their huge Monday night game vs. the Bills , are in a precarious playoff position in the NFC North. Minnesota is in first place in the NFL's toughest division in 2026, but all the buzz is around the three teams behind in the standings: Chicago (7-2), Detroit (6-2) and Green Bay (6-3). The big reason the Vikings aren't being trusted is their quarterback situation. With a healthy Kyler Murray, the Vikings have been well behind the QB strengths of the Bears (Caleb Williams), Lions (Jared Goff) and Packers (Jordan Love).  Now that Murray will miss more time, starting with Buffalo, and is week to week with a hamstring injury, coach Kevin O'Connell is running out of options to upgrade. Murray has been a misfit in the offense, but he's been lifted to a 5-1 record as a starter thanks to dominant defense and stellar special teams. Do the Vikings have the right option right behind him on the depth chart? With the Colts taking former Viking Daniel Jones off the market, is there anyone they should desperately target ahead of Tuesday's 4 p.m. ET NFL trade deadline? How about any veteran free agents? Here's a breakdown. MORE: Vikings QB timeline has been bumpy since 2023 Vikings' five best non-Kyler Murray QB options Imagn Images 1. Keep starting Carson Wentz Wentz, relieving a concussed Murray at home, was spectacular in the second half against the Packers in Week 1 to lead a key early comeback victory in division play. He backed it up with a gritty win at bad-weather Chicago in Week 2 while Murray wasn't cleared. Given Wentz was averaging 7.7 yards per attempt and rated 106.4 leading O'Connell's offense before Monday night, it was shocking the Vikings didn't bench Murray before Week 9 and give Wentz another shot before injury forced their hand. Unfortunately, Wentz blew his big chance against the Bills' shaky pass defense at home in Week 10. They might be stuck starting him while Murray is hamstrung. 2. Trade for Marcus Mariota O'Connell and the Commanders ' QB2 already have a close working relationship going back more than a decade. When Mariota was preparing to become the No. 2 overall pick in the 2015 draft to the Titans , O'Connell spent many training sessions with him. Mariota has become a valuable system-oriented backup for Washington, embracing his new team-friendly role at age 33. The Commanders should just move on with seventh-round rookie Athan Kaliakmanis as Daniels' understudy going forward, given Mariota will once again be a free agent in March. This deal would cost the Vikings little for a QB who can get quickly attuned to O'Connell's offense. LIVE: Latest news and rumors as NFL trade deadline approaches 3. Sign Jimmy Garoppolo Jimmy G's last NFL gig was with the Rams for the previous two seasons, serving as Matthew Stafford's backup. If there's a Sean McVay connection, then there's a tie to O'Connell, McVay's former offensive coordinator in Los Angeles. Garoppolo is 35 and his arm isn't the gun it once was as the Patriots ' promising second-round pick. But the Vikings can't ignore he was once good enough in Kyle Shanahan's quasi-related system to help the 49ers get to a Super Bowl. He would cost the Vikings not much in way of contract to at least see if can be the answer with low risk. 4. Trade for Tanner McKee The Eagles had high hopes for McKee as a pocket-passing backup behind Jalen Hurts, but he didn't look right at all in a shorthanded, dysfunctional, transitional offense. That led to the team signing and playing Joe Milton III over McKee. McKee, however, might be better suited in O'Connell's system and the Eagles shouldn't worry about moving him as a pending 2027 free agent they won't likely re-sign. 5. Trade for Kirk Cousins Cousins has been huge in making the Raiders' passing game exciting again. They have no run defense and a sputtering running game, leading to Cousins chucking to some pleasing results, mostly to tight ends Brock Bowers and Michael Mayer. Klint Kubiak remains adamant about sitting No. 1 overall draft pick Fernando Mendoza, and he can point to saying Cousins' play isn't the issue with his team. But the Raiders are 4-5, on their way to fading out of the AFC playoff picture with a tough schedule remaining, including the Seahawks and Broncos in the next two games. The Raiders are reluctant to move Cousins, but the Vikings shouldn't be afraid to be aggressive and go after a reunion, knowing Cousins would immediately thrive under O'Connell again. This would be the best move by far, but sadly, it's the far unlikeliest. POWER RANKINGS: Bills enter Monday night showdown at No. 1