Vikings ‘Must Pursue’ Former 1st-Round QB to Mentor J.J. McCarthy, Says Analyst

 
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Jameis Winston of the New York Giants.
As the Vikings prepare to roll with rookie J.J. McCarthy as their starting quarterback in 2025, questions remain about the depth behind him. With Sam Howell and Brett Rypien rounding out their current QBs room, it’s fair to say Minnesota lacks a veteran with the ability to mentor McCarthy.

Considering the team’s lack of veteran leadership in that department, Jameis Winston, who is currently buried on the behind Russell Wilson on the New York Giants depth chart, has been named a potential trade target.

“While Winston can be an effective spot starter and is a tremendous locker room leader, he should most interest teams looking for a dedicated backup and mentor,” Kristopher Knox of Bleacher Report wrote on July 26. Knox named Winston a QB teams “must pursue” via trade, and the Vikes made his short list.

“The Minnesota Vikings and Titans would both make sense. While Minnesota did trade for Sam Howell this offseason, it doesn’t have a ton of experience behind second-year quarterback and first-year starter J.J. McCarthy.”

 
A Look Back at Winston’s NFL Career
Winston was selected first overall in the 2015 NFL Draft by the Tampa Bay Buccaneers. In his rookie season, he threw for over 4,000 yards and had 22 touchdown passes, making the Pro Bowl.

During his tenure in Tampa (2015–2019), Winston had four straight seasons over 3,500 passing yards. His best season came in 2019, when he led the NFL with 5,109 passing yards, throwing 33 TDs while also tossing a league‑high 30 interceptions.

After his time in Tampa, Winston spent four seasons with the New Orleans Saints (2020–2023) primarily serving as a backup. He threw limited passes but had flashes: in 2021, he started seven games before tearing his ACL. Prior to that injury, he had 14 TDs and three INTs with a 102.8 passer rating. In 2024, Winston signed with the Cleveland Browns, where he started seven games, throwing for 2,121 yards, 13 touchdowns and 12 interceptions—ending the season with a 2‑5 record and a notable 497‑yard outing against the Denver Broncos.

As of end of the 2024 season, Winston has thrown for 24,225 yards, 154 touchdowns and 111 interceptions in 105 games.

 
Should the Minnesota Vikings Try to Trade for Jameis Winston to Backup J.J. McCarthy?
 
GettyVeteran Jameis Winston has been floated as a possible trade option to mentor Minnesota Vikings QB J.J. McCarthy.
With McCarthy expected to start, should the Vikings be in the market for a seasoned veteran who can not only serve as a reliable backup but also help mentor their young signal-caller?

Winston would fit that mold. He’s started over 70 games in his career and has gone through the ups and downs of being a franchise quarterback. His experience as both a starter and backup gives him a unique perspective that could be beneficial for a guy like McCarthy.

He’d also be affordable. The Giants signed him to a two-year, $8 million deal, with performance incentives that could raise the total to $16 million. Given that the Giants appear committed to grooming rookie Jaxson Dart behind Wilson, Winston’s role in New York could quickly become expendable.

Beyond the numbers and contract details, Winston’s leadership and locker room presence are the primary reasons the Vikings might consider making a move like this. For a Vikings team that is transitioning to a new era under McCarthy, bringing in a mentor isn’t a bad idea — and apparently, it’s something Minnesota has considered in the not-too-distant past.

NFL insider Jordan Schultz reported back in March of 2025 that Minnesota had been in discussions with veteran QB Ryan Tannehill, but nothing ever came of it. If Minnesota does decide to add another QB to backup McCarthy, Winston’s name may be one of the first to come up.
Beth Mishler-Elmore Beth Mishler-Elmore is a Heavy sports contributor based in the Midwest, focusing on the NFL, NBA and WNBA. More about Beth Mishler-Elmore