Ex-GM Rick Spielman predicts scary QB scenario for Vikings

The Minnesota Vikings are desperate for a new quarterback.

Kirk Cousins is now in Atlanta with the Falcons and the trio of Sam Darnold, Nick Mullins and Jaren Hall just isn't going to cut it.

Minnesota needs an upgrade, but are the Vikings desperate enough to blow a ton of draft capital to go get a top QB prospect?

According to Rick Spielman, who was Minnesota's general manager from 2012 to 2021, that's exactly what the Vikings would have to do in order to bring in Michigan quarterback J.J. McCarthy — who is likely Minnesota's best shot at a top quarterback.

"They’re (the Vikings) going to have to give (picks 11 and 23) and their 2025 first, plus some more draft capital. I think J.J. (McCarthy) will be a good pro, but Minnesota will overpay to get him. At this point, they don’t have a choice," Spielman said on the "With the first Pick" podcast (h/t Vikings Wire).

As Spielman explained, the Vikings currently have picks 11 and 23, but in order to have a realistic chance at McCarthy (since Caleb Williams, Drake Maye and Jayden Daniels will likely be gone in the first three picks), the Vikings will likely have to jump the New York Giants at pick No. 6.

That could mean a trade with the Los Angeles Chargers, who have Justin Herbert and thus don't need McCarthy, but moving from No. 11 to No. 5 will cost the Vikings dearly.

Minnesota would have to "sell the farm" for the chance to draft McCarthy, and there's little to no guarantee that he'll end up being worth all that capital. 

It would certainly be an overpay, but as Spielman suggested, what choice do the Vikings have?

That's a scary scenario to be in, but that's exactly the scene the Vikings painted themselves when they let Cousins walk out the door in free agency.