The first couple of weeks in July are typically the slow section on the Minnesota Vikings’ calendar, and for the most part, that’s true, aside from a few rumors.
Rookies report to training camp on July 26th — so about two weeks away — but in the meantime, let’s glance at the first batch of rumors for the week.
Denver Theory Headlines Vikings’ Latest July Chatter
Rumor: The Broncos would be a good fit for J.J. McCarthy as a QB2.
Podcaster David Marshall advanced the idea on the David Talks Broncos show last week: “McCarthy was kind of a disaster last year after his time at Michigan. You could see here at Michigan, National Champion, he’s got all the traits and tools you’re looking for, and you saw here during his time in the NFL.”
“He tore his ACL in 2024, so he didn’t get a lot of time to actually improve his game. He played in a pro-style offense under Jim Harbaugh at Michigan, and I think he’s got the brains to operate this offense with Sean Payton and Davis Webb.”
Denver’s backup right now is Jarrett Stidham, who filled in for Bo Nix during the AFC Title game in January.
Marshall added, “He needs to fine-tune his mechanics, his footwork, and that’s where the Broncos do some of their best work. I think J.J. McCarthy in terms of not looking at him as a franchise quarterback because we’ve got that in Bo Nix, but as that franchise backup. That next guy that can be here for a few years.”
It makes exactly no sense for McCarthy to request a ticket out of Minnesota so that he can be the backup quarterback in Denver. Zilch.
Rumor: Minnesota should explore free-agent DaQuan Jones and sign him.
Bleacher Report‘s Kristopher Knox identified seven defensive free agents with new possible destinations, and Jones was picked for the Vikings: “Defensive tackle DaQuan Jones will turn 35 in December and missed multiple games with a calf injury this past season. However, he remains a starting-caliber interior defender who has started every game in which he has appeared since his sophomore season in 2015.”
“Jones started 12 games for the Buffalo Bills last season, finishing with 22 tackles, three sacks, and three tackles for loss. He still possesses a strong anchor in run defense with penetration ability to boost an interior pass rush.”
Adding Jones would be a fantastic idea for most Vikings offseasons, but Minnesota has plenty of DTs in 2026.
Knox added, “Jones would make a lot of sense for the Minnesota Vikings, who are hoping to leap back into NFC North contention this season. While much of the offseason focus has been on the looming QB battle between J.J. McCarthy and Kyler Murray, Minnesota faces the challenge of reloading its defensive front.”
“The Vikings parted with both Javon Hargrave and Jonathan Allen early this offseason. While they did sign Isaiahh Loudermilk while drafting Caleb Banks and Domonique Orange, adding DaQuan Jones would round out the defensive rotation while adding veteran leadership to the group.”
Minnesota doesn’t need any more interior defensive linemen:
- Jalen Redmond
- Caleb Banks
- Domonique Orange
- Levi Drake Rodriguez
- Tyrion Ingram-Dawkins
- Isaiahh Loudermilk
- Eric Johnson
- Smith Vilbert
- Taki Taimani
- Elijah Williams
- Jahvaree Ritzie
All stocked.
Rumor: Kyler Murray is the favorite to win the Vikings’ QB job because Kevin O’Connell has cooked with veteran quarterbacks.
The quarterback competition is the top storyline for most Vikings fans, and O’Connell addressed it directly. He said to D.J. Siddiqi this week, “We’ve had a lot of success with different veteran quarterbacks at different stages of their career, whether it was Sam Darnold or Kirk Cousins, and now we want to do everything we can to provide Kyler Murray with a great opportunity and see what he can do with it.”
“Kyler has always been a player. I’ve known him for a long time, and obviously having coached against him at multiple spots, and the talent you talked about bringing that different dimension. I think what he’s really done over seven years in the NFL is really maintain that dimension.”
O’Connell’s right: when he has a veteran quarterback, his team usually wins. When O’Connell has a rookie passer, his team mostly loses.
O’Connell added, “But also the growth, the way he sees the field, the way he can throw with anticipation, and ultimately where he’s at in his career is a unique time. Having had the success that he had at his previous stop and ultimately wanting to build upon that and us having the opportunity to bring him to Minnesota, it felt like a great fit.”
A battle will still occur in Eagan, but O’Connell seems to hint that Murray is the frontrunner, which corresponds with oddsmakers’ opinion.
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