The Vikings face a precarious balance behind J.J. McCarthy as they navigate the no-trade zone around Kirk Cousins and the uncertain health of McCarthy’s depth chart. With Harrison Phillips moved for cap space, Minnesota may pocket that relief to upgrade a receiver or a backup QB. Jim Souhan’s 10-spot shortlist blends realistic fitters with intriguing, splashy options, from Sam Howell and Brett Rypien to Mitchell Trubisky and Jameis Winston. The piece emphasizes how a capable, proven backup could stabilize a high-variance offense while preserving McCarthy’s development arc. Preseason clock is ticking toward cutdown day, magnifying the stakes for both roster construction and fantasy upside.

Howell’s experience, Rypien’s system familiarity, and the tantalizing upside of Richardson or Winston pepper the dialogue, with Trubisky pitched as a potentially ideal midgame disruptor. The Browns’ recent backup landscape, plus the possibility of a veteran like Bridgewater or even Cousins resurfacing, adds additional layers to Minnesota’s decision matrix. The article also flags the need for ancillary cap-ops—signing a receiver like Amari Cooper or Allen Lazard—tieing back to the broader roster strategy as Addison serves a suspension and Nailor heals. The sense: the Vikings are shop‑quiet now, but the right move could swing the season’s outcome and fantasy value at multiple levels.