Vikings Rumor Report: Joe Burrow to the Vikings, Cris Carter’s QB Take, Daniel Jones

Rumor: If the Cincinnati Bengals cut ties with Joe Burrow in the 2027 offseason, the Vikings are a likely landing spot, according to Bleacher Report.

BR’s Moe Moton identified several trade landing spots for Burrow in 2027, in the event that the Bengals don’t reach the postseason, and the Vikings were on the list.

He wrote, “Among the possible landing spots, the Vikings would have the best structure in place for Burrow. He would reunite with his former LSU teammate, Justin Jefferson, who’s one of the league’s top receivers, easing the sting of leaving another star wideout, Ja’Marr Chase. Furthermore, as the Vikings’ lead skipper, Kevin O’Connell has won Coach of the Year and fielded a top-six passing offense in three of four seasons.”

“Regardless of Murray’s performance in the upcoming term, the Vikings should monitor Burrow’s situation in Cincinnati. They would need to clear some cap space to offer him a deal comparable to what other teams with more financial flexibility can offer, though. Minnesota is projected to have slightly less than $50 million in cap space next offseason.”

The Burrow rumor will persist as long as Justin Jefferson remains in Minnesota, thanks to their strong LSU connection forged during their 2019 National Championship season. If Burrow is on the trade block, Minnesota will be whispered. Simple as that.

Rumor: Cris Carter believes J.J. McCarthy still has a path to the Vikings’ QB1 job.

Carter chatted with Heavy.com last week, and to the surprise of some, he dropped a flavorful McCarthy take.

“J.J. McCarthy, he’s still going to get an opportunity because most quarterbacks aren’t going to stay healthy for 17 games, so there will be an opportunity for him not only to learn and get better, but also to watch and learn from a guy like Kyler Murray … But I’d expect Kyler to be the starter this season,” Carter said.

Former Minnesota Vikings wide receiver Cris Carter watches pregame action at U.S. Bank Stadium in Minneapolis, Minnesota, on Dec 23, 2019, observing the field before a matchup with the Green Bay Packers as the Hall of Famer returns to a familiar setting tied to his decorated NFL career. Mandatory Credit: USA TODAY Sports.

He noted on the Vikings’ offense, “Kevin O’Connell has proven with this offense when he’s had a healthy QB, he’s been able to win 12, 13, 14 games during the regular season. If you look at the nucleus of players they do have coming back … you’d have to be looking at the Vikings to be back in the playoffs and competing for the NFC.”

“Their offensive and defensive lines are more fortified than they were 2 years ago; they just need consistent quarterback play and the ability to allow that defense to be able to turn the ball over and get after the quarterback.”

Last year, Carter vocally criticized McCarthy, so when he struck a different chord this offseason, his argument resonated.

Murray has missed 26% of his career games due to injury. McCarthy, indeed, could get his chance in 2026.

Rumor: Former Vikings quarterback Daniel Jones’s Achilles tendon recovery is on track — or even ahead of schedule.

NFL.com ran a comprehensive round on non-draft storylines, and for Indianapolis, the focus landed on a positive development involving Jones.

NFL.com’s staff collectively wrote, “QB Daniel Jones (Achilles) has begun throwing the football and is performing well on his dropbacks, head coach Shane Steichen told reporters Tuesday. Jones underwent surgery in early December after suffering the season-ending injury.”

The timeline often stretches close to a year for an Achilles recovery, which would put a November injury in jeopardy. Jones looks ahead of that curve based on the April update.

Minnesota Vikings quarterback Daniel Jones (13) lines up against the Los Angeles Rams during an NFC wild card game at State Farm Stadium in Glendale, Arizona, on Jan 13, 2025, focusing on the defense before the snap as Minnesota navigates a high-stakes postseason matchup. Mandatory Credit: Mark J. Rebilas-Imagn Images.

ESPN’s Stephen Holder on Jones’s recovery: “The Colts have said throughout the offseason that they and their doctors believe a return for the start of the 2026 season is well within reason. To ensure that happens, the approach to Jones’ rehab has been an all-hands-on-deck approach for the organization.”

“To that end, Shane Steichen said he has consulted with Boston Celtics president of basketball operations Brad Stevens on how the team oversaw the Achilles recovery of Boston star Jayson Tatum, who sustained a torn Achilles in the 2025 postseason but has returned to the lineup and become a force for the Celtics. Both Tatum and Jones also shared the same surgeon for their Achilles repair.”

The Colts have Super Bowl odds similar to the Vikings’. They’re at +4000, and Minnesota checks in at +4500. Sportsbooks evidently believe Jones will be just fine.