The Minnesota Vikings have arrived in Cleveland for joint practices with the Cleveland Browns, as the teams gear up for their upcoming game on Saturday at Browns Stadium. With the NFL's shift to a 17-game schedule, many teams have opted to scrimmage against each other to gain valuable live repetitions and simulate actual game scenarios, especially with the preseason now reduced to three games. Looking ahead to an 18-game season, it is expected that exhibition games will be further reduced to just two contests.

On the first day of joint practice, the Vikings were faced with an unexpected quarterback situation. After parting ways with their longtime starter Kirk Cousins, who signed with the Atlanta Falcons, Minnesota drafted J.J. McCarthy from Michigan as their new quarterback in the first round of the 2024 NFL draft. However, tragedy struck when McCarthy suffered a torn meniscus in his right knee during the preseason opener. This season-ending injury makes McCarthy the first quarterback drafted in the first round since 1967 to miss his entire rookie season due to injury.

Prior to his departure, Kirk Cousins had been the Vikings' starting quarterback for the past six seasons, playing in 88 games and maintaining a record of 50-37-1. He achieved notable success, surpassing 39,000 passing yards and earning four Pro Bowl selections. However, Cousins' final season with the Vikings was marred by a torn Achilles that placed him on the injured reserve list. Despite expectations for him to remain with the franchise, Cousins surprised many by signing a lucrative four-year, $180-million deal with the Falcons.

Last season, the Vikings relied on backup quarterbacks Nick Mullens and Jaren Hall when Cousins was sidelined. Mullens, who played for the Browns in 2021 and started one game, brings experience from his 29 NFL appearances. Hall, a fifth-round pick from BYU in the 2023 draft, stepped in for two starts while Mullens started three games. However, neither backup quarterback found much success in their limited opportunities.

To address their quarterback situation, the Vikings signed free agent Sam Darnold from the San Francisco 49ers. Darnold, the former promising third overall pick in the 2018 NFL draft, has struggled to establish himself as a starter and has since become a career backup. Despite the coaching staff's reservations, Darnold has now been thrust into the starting role. Mullens remains the next in line on the depth chart, followed by second-year quarterback Jaren Hall.

With the Vikings in town for joint practices, the Browns have the opportunity to showcase all four of their quarterbacks. However, given that the team can only retain three, it is inevitable that one quarterback will be released. Considering the existing ties between the Browns and Vikings coaching staff and front office, it is worth exploring the possibility of a trade that benefits both teams. Browns head coach Kevin Stefanski previously served on the Vikings coaching staff, while GM Andrew Berry has worked closely with Minnesota in various player transactions. This connection, along with the presence of former Vikings personnel in the Browns organization, presents an opportunity for a mutually beneficial trade.

For the Browns, the backup quarterback role behind Deshaun Watson seems likely to go to Jameis Winston, who brings experience and a track record of consistent performance. The question then arises as to which of the remaining two quarterbacks, Tyler Huntley and Dorian Thompson-Robinson (DTR), will secure the QB3 position. It is speculated that the coaching staff would prefer to retain all four quarterbacks and place one on the practice squad, but this would require navigating the cutdown process and potential waiver claims.

Tyler Huntley, who has earned Pro Bowl recognition, has proven himself in his 20 NFL appearances and nine starts, boasting a solid career completion ratio of 64.6%. During his tenure with the Baltimore Ravens, he played a crucial role in maintaining the team's playoff hopes when starter Lamar Jackson was injured. DTR, carefully chosen by Browns GM Andrew Berry, has shown promise in his limited playing time and is seen as a potential future starting quarterback or valuable backup.

As the Vikings observe Tyler Huntley and DTR firsthand during joint practices in Berea this week, it would be logical for Browns GM Andrew Berry to explore the possibility of a trade involving either quarterback to address other areas of need on the team. The Vikings' presence provides an opportunity for Berry to initiate discussions and potentially negotiate a deal that would benefit both organizations.

In terms of positional needs, the Browns are in search of a defensive tackle, tight end, and additional backup center. By exploring trade possibilities with the Vikings, the Browns may find a way to address some of these needs while also ensuring the released quarterback has an opportunity to continue his career elsewhere.