Veteran quarterback Kyler Murray has struggled to make an impact as the Minnesota Vikings’ starter this season after beating out J.J. McCarthy for the QB1 job during training camp. Murray is currently sidelined with a Grade 2 hamstring injury, forcing backup Carson Wentz into the starting lineup and ramping up speculation about Minnesota potentially scouring the market for a QB1 before the trade deadline today.

On trade deadline day, NFL insider Ian Rapoport confirmed that the Vikings are searching for a viable QB1.

NFL Insider Addresses Vikings’ QB1 Search

During Tuesday’s segment of the “Good Morning Football” show, Rapoport gave a scathing verdict on Murray and Wentz’s stints under center for Minnesota so far this season.

“I would expect the Minnesota Vikings to explore a couple of interesting options at the QB position. We never see a team trading for a starting QB during the season, except for the fact that we actually saw it earlier this year with Jacoby Brissett,” Rapoport said. “The Minnesota Vikings have now [sensed] an opportunity. It was Monday Night Football, and the next day, which is today, is the trade deadline, and that gives them about 24 hours, a little less, to significantly improve their starting QB position.

“Kyler Murray, who has been battling a hamstring injury, has been mostly ineffective this year, [and] watched as Carson Wentz struggled.”

Rapoport further linked the Vikings to potential moves for Indianapolis Colts QB Daniel Jones and Las Vegas Raiders starter Kirk Cousins, both of whom have ties to the franchise and to coach Kevin O’Connell.

“Here’s what they have now at their disposal: They have Daniel Jones, who is the starting QB for the Indianapolis Colts, who spent some time with them, obviously on the practice squad a couple of years ago, has familiarity, knows the offense, and is right now the starting QB of a team that has traded two franchise cornerstones and has saw their season go the wrong way. The other option is Kirk Cousins, starting quarterback for the Las Vegas Raiders,” Rapoport added.

Murray joined the Vikings after a seven-season stint representing the Arizona Cardinals. The former Oklahoma Sooners standout signed a one-year, $1.3 million contract with the Vikings in March and competed heavily against the incumbent, McCarthy, and pushed him out of the picture until he was traded to the New York Giants, where he is thriving as Jaxson Dart’s injury replacement.

Murray’s latest injury is his second absence this season after missing Week 2 with a concussion, but Minnesota has refused to place him on injured reserve as coach Kevin O’Connell described the quarterback’s status as week-to-week.

Wentz performed poorly in Minnesota’s blowout loss to the Buffalo Bills and was even benched late in the game in favor of Max Brosmer.

Murray, the former Heisman Trophy winner, has amassed 1,022 yards on 64.9% completion, 5 touchdowns and 3 interceptions, adding 167 rushing yards for Minnesota this season, earning a PFN QB Impact score of 69.9 (No. 27 in the NFL).

With Murray under center, the Vikings boast the league’s third-worst PFN Offense Impact score of 65.8.