Prominent Pundit Fears the Worst for J.J. McCarthy
The Minnesota Vikings may or may not end up rolling with J.J. McCarthy in Week 1 of the 2026 campaign, but according to Fox Sports‘ Colin Cowherd, McCarthy’s starting future in Minnesota sounds like it’s on life support.
Cowherd’s doubt collides with Minnesota’s investment, plus a veteran market that keeps offering escape hatches.
Cowherd, who has not been hesitant to unleash on McCarthy in the past, is at it again.
Familiar McCarthy Naysayer Rides Again
The future might be grim for McCarthy if Cowherd has it right.
Cowherd on McCarthy
Cowherd has never cared much for McCarthy as the Vikings’ quarterback solution — he is and was a Sam Darnold enthusiast — so his comments last week didn’t surprise many.
“The Minnesota Vikings, who are $45M over the cap, and yet reportedly they want Tua. They know, privately, the J.J. McCarthy thing is not working. Boy, you got to make a decision quick. J.J. McCarthy’s body may not be built for this league. His confidence is all over the map. The numbers don’t lie on J.J. McCarthy,” he said on his show.
That’s about as bleak as it gets, if one assumes Cowherd knows what he’s talking about. He may not.
McCarthy Will Have to Earn It — Unlike Last Year
In 2025, the Vikings brushed aside a few notable quarterbacks, making way for McCarthy as the uncontested QB1: Sam Darnold, Daniel Jones, and Aaron Rodgers.
The Darnold decision now lives in infamy, as he won a Super Bowl with the Seattle Seahawks last month. Jones fared well in Indianapolis, constructing an MVP-caliber season through about two months of 2025 before rupturing his Achilles tendon and sending the Colts mind-bogglingly in Philip Rivers’s direction.
And Rodgers reached the postseason inside a low-octane Steelers offense, meeting a quick one-and-done loss in the tournament.
McCarthy won’t have that setup this time, as the Vikings’ brass has stated a few times this offseason that another quarterback is on the way. And Cowherd thinks that man will basically take McCarthy’s job for good, and that’ll be that.
The Tumultuous 2025 Campaign
McCarthy finished the 2025 season demonstrating the quarterbacking ability Minnesota had hoped for. He delivered Pro Bowl-caliber performances against Washington, Dallas, and New York, displaying confident throws and composure in critical late-game situations. However, a hairline fracture in his hand abruptly halted his momentum, marking yet another setback in an injury-plagued year.
Earlier in 2025, his potential was undeniable. He began his starting role with a 4th Quarter comeback in Chicago, earning NFC Offensive Player of the Week honors. Although a midseason high ankle sprain briefly sidelined him, he returned with a resilient road victory in Detroit, delivering one of his most impressive performances in a challenging atmosphere.
The middle of the season proved utterly problematic. Following the ankle sprain, McCarthy struggled to regain his rhythm, often performing well late in games after shaky starts. A concussion against Green Bay punctuated a three-game losing streak.
While his arm talent and big-game poise are evident, durability remains a significant concern. So does the inconsistency.
The Main Alternatives
So, just who in the hell are we talking about here? Unless Minnesota’s messaging has misled the masses, the Vikings’ next quarterback — the guy to accompany McCarthy this summer — will very likely be a man from these lists.
The first tier — the preferred one — based on recent tea leaves:
- Daniel Jones
- Mac Jones
- Kyler Murray
- Geno Smith
- Tua Tagovailoa
- Malik Willis
Our Janik Eckardt noted on Murray this week, “Murray, once a 1st overall pick, had a promising first three seasons in the NFL, but never made the next step from Pro Bowler to superstar. Injuries then derailed his career, as he has only played more than 11 games once over the last four years. Still, when healthy, Murray is arguably the most skilled signal-caller on the market. He just scored 26 touchdowns in 2024.”
“Bringing in an experienced veteran such as Murray or Smith would allow Minnesota to maintain its long-term investment in McCarthy while raising the floor of the position in the short term. With head coach Kevin O’Connell under pressure to win now and the roster otherwise competitive, a veteran bridge or challenger appears far more likely than handing the job to an unproven starter without competition.”
Then, the fallback options — Tier 2:
- Kirk Cousins
- Jimmy Garoppolo
- Joe Flacco
- Will Levis
- Marcus Mariota
- Anthony Richardson
- Aaron Rodgers
- Russell Wilson
Thankfully, it’s an advantageous offseason for a team to need this style of quarterback — either a home run hitter like Murray to win the QB1 job in Minnesota outright or a Cousins-like passer to push McCarthy to the limit this summer.
And per Cowherd, McCarthy’s days are numbered.
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