CONFIRMED DEAL: ESPN claimed this evening that the New England Patriots  and Minnesota Vikings had formally reached a deal to trade their best-ever experienced quarterback. HOWEVER…

Vikings Add Experienced TD Machine at QB Ahead of Rookie Minicamp

The Minnesota Vikings have four players of varying experience under contract at QB.

That isn’t keeping them from exploring the market with the offseason program calling for multiple camp arms to alleviate wear and tear.

“Another Colonel earning his opportunity!” EKU Football’s social media team posted on X on May 7. “Parker McKinney is headed to Minnesota after receiving an invite to the @Vikings mini camp!”

“One of the top FCS quarterbacks, McKinney had 41 total touchdowns and eight interceptions in 2022 before a slight dip in production last season,” NBC Sports Boston’s Logan Reardon wrote on January 16.

He completed 63% of his passes for 3,033 yards, 20 touchdowns, and 12 interceptions last season, adding another 225 yards and three scores on the ground.

A six-year performer, all spent at EKU, he totaled 12,751 passing yards and 94 touchdowns to 44 picks. He racked up 1,671 yards and 23 scores on the ground in that span, including a career-best 596 yards in 2021.

Listed at 6-foor-3, he has prototypical height. He is also listed at a slight 208 pounds, though.

That is just the first hurdle McKinney faces in his first crack at making an NFL roster this coming season.

Sorting Through Vikings QB Depth Chart

 

 

McKinney also joins a crowded QB room that includes 2023 trade acquisition Nick Mullens and 2023 fifth-round draft pick Jaren Hall as well as newcomers Sam Darnold and J.J. McCarthy.

Darnold signed a one-year, $10 million contract in free agency this offseason. He has been a bridge option from the beginning. McCarthy, whom the Vikings traded up to draft with the No. 10 overall pick, is their hopeful future at the position.

The Vikings’ efforts to add arms could be ominous for Mullens and Hall.

Mullens is in Year 2 of a two-year, $2.2 million contract. The Vikings can cut him for a minimal dead cap hit at $375,000.

Hall would cost even less, just $209,457 in Year 2 of a four-year, $4.1 million pact. There also might not be enough room to keep two developmental quarterbacks on the roster. Hall could still make sense for the practice squad to continue grooming him for an eventual backup role.