Souhan: Vikings need an upgrade behind J.J. McCarthy. Can they find one?

The Vikings’ trade of starting defensive tackle Harrison Phillips cleared a bit of salary cap space this year and next.

The Vikings may use that space to sign a receiver. With Rondale Moore out for the season, Jordan Addison suspended for the first three regular-season games and Jalen Nailor nursing a hand injury, the Vikings could use someone like Amari Cooper or Allen Lazard.

They could also use an upgrade at backup quarterback. With 60 minutes of preseason football remaining before the cutdown day and season opener, here’s a list of players who could wind up playing behind J.J. McCarthy:

Yeah, I don’t like it either, but the Vikings traded for him, and he’s been a starter in the NFL. Last week, he played like he was previously unaware that football is a contact sport.

The fact that Rypien knows the Vikings’ system and they still traded for Howell tells you what you need to know.

I covered Mark when he won a Super Bowl in the Metrodome as Washington’s quarterback. He’s available and well-rested.

He’s played well enough to make himself one of the best stories in camp, but the Vikings aren’t going to enter the season with a starter and backup who have never taken an NFL snap, with the backup having played only one season of major-college football.

He just threw two touchdown passes for the Bucs. This is another intriguing possibility that isn’t going to happen.

He has a no-trade clause and wants to be a starter. This is another intriguing possibility that isn’t going to happen if McCarthy is healthy and holding the job.

The Browns chose Joe Flacco, one of the greatest quarterbacks ever to play at Delaware, as their starter. (Former Viking Rich Gannon also starred for the Blue Hens.)

Cleveland has Kenny Pickett, Dillon Gabriel and Shedeur Sanders competing for the backup job, and Pickett and Sanders are dealing with injuries. The Browns spent only a fifth-round pick on Sanders, who has been impressive when healthy.

The Browns also have two high draft picks in the 2026 first round, and might be bad enough to be in position to draft Arch Manning.

This quarterback may not be available, but might be the best of a lousy set of options.

You may laugh when you hear his name.

You shouldn’t.

How many quarterbacks who might become available in the next two weeks have:

His name is Mitchell Trubisky, and he’s probably the ideal fit for the Vikings. He wouldn’t expect to compete for the starting job. He could come in during the middle of a game and confound a defense that hasn’t prepared for his running ability. He’s physically talented.

The catch is that the Buffalo Bills seem likely to choose Trubisky as their backup over Mike White, and White doesn’t look like much of an upgrade over Howell or Rypien.

That’s Y, as in, “Why did he throw that pass?”

Giants reserve Jameis Winston is one of the most talented quarterbacks ever to play the game.

He plays like Howell, but is far more gifted.