Who Should I Start? Ryan Tannehill or Sam Howell

Friday, March 21, 10:16 PM

The Minnesota Vikings have had talks with former Tennessee Titans quarterback Ryan Tannehill about a potential deal, sources tell FOX Sports' Jordan Schultz. Talks are ongoing but nothing is imminent at this moment. For the time being, the Vikings have told free-agent QB Aaron Rodgers that they are not interested and are moving ahead full steam with last year's first-rounder, J.J. McCarthy (knee), as their starting signal-caller in 2025. However, after both Sam Darnold and Daniel Jones left in free agency this offseason, the Vikes continue to search for QB insurance behind McCarthy, and Tannehill could be their guy. The 36-year-old didn't join a team for the 2024 season and played in only 10 games (eight starts) in his final season in Tennessee in 2023, throwing for 1,616 yards, four TDs and seven picks. If Tannehill joins the Vikings, it would strictly be as their backup behind McCarthy.

Tuesday, June 17, 12:11 PM

Minnesota Vikings quarterback Sam Howell was usually the second QB to rotate into team drills during offseason workouts behind J.J. McCarthy, which suggests that Howell is the front-runner for the No. 2 job. However, nothing he did this spring indicated that he will push McCarthy to start in 2025, according to ESPN's Kevin Seifert. "He's kind of like J.J.," head coach Kevin O'Connell said, "where he's made some throws where you're like, 'Man, probably shouldn't have made that throw. But I now know on this play, I've got to be careful of this.' And it's all growth." Behind Howell is Brett Rypien and undrafted rookie Max Brosmer. The Vikings acquired Howell in a trade this offseason with Seattle. The former fifth-rounder by the Commanders has completed 62.6% of his passes for 4,139 yards, 22 touchdowns and 23 picks in 20 games (18 starts) in his three NFL seasons.