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Vikings bring in Colt McCoy for tryout

profilephotocropby:Suzanne Halliburton•10/11/23•

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colt mccoy
Diannie Chavez/The Republic / USA TODAY NETWORK

Colt McCoy may have some life left in his NFL career. The former Texas great who was released by Arizona in late August tried out for an NFC North team this week.

Now, will the Vikings sign him? Minnesota brought in eight players, Tuesday, for a tryout with the goal of filling some of the holes on the roster. The Vikings released quarterback Tanner Morgan, the former Minnesota Golden Gopher, from their practice squad, Tuesday. And Nick Mullens, the second-string quarterback, is dealing with a back injury.

Of course, bringing in Colt McCoy also ignited rumors that the Vikings are trading Kirk Cousins. When the team has won only one game this season, wishful rumors happen.

The 37-year-old McCoy left Texas in 2009 as the winningest quarterback in NCAA history. The Browns selected him in the third round of the 2010 NFL Draft. McCoy never realized his dream as a full-time NFL starter, but he’s carved out a reputation as a reliable, smart backup who can be ready at a moment’s notice.

Once McCoy left the Browns, he also played for San Francisco, Washington, the New York Giants and Arizona. McCoy ended 2022 as the starter for the Cardinals after Kyler Murray tore his ACL. Most thought he’d stick around the Cardinals this season since Murray still isn’t healthy enough to play. However, McCoy hurt his elbow in training camp. The Cardinals traded with the Browns for former Tennessee star Josh Dobbs. And Dobbs now is the Cardinals QB1.

Colt McCoy has made starts in each of the last five seasons. Overall, his record as a starter is 11-25. He’s thrown 34 touchdowns against 32 interceptions.

When the Vikings brought in Colt McCoy for a tryout Tuesday, it was because backup Nick Mullens had a bad back. However, the move also stirred up rumors about a Kirk Cousins trade. (Brad Rempel-USA TODAY Sports)

Here are the other players who the Vikings brought in. Note, only Colt McCoy is a quarterback.

The Vikings made other moves this week. The team placed Justin Jefferson, possibly the best receiver in the NFL, on injured reserve.

Although the Vikings are struggling for wins, Cousins leads the NFL in touchdown passes with 13. And he’s second in passing yards per game. The theory is that the Vikings would deal Cousins, then purposely tank for the top pick of next year’s NF: draft. That would place them in the Caleb Williams sweepstakes.

Colt McCoy was getting on with his life. He attended the Texas-OU game last weekend for the first time since he left the Longhorns.