Young Viking Gets the Hot Seat Treatment
In 2024, J.J. McCarthy became the theorized solution for the Minnesota Vikings at quarterback. In 2025, the rubber hit the road for him to strut his stuff. In 2026, the pressure is on, so much so that McCarthy is on the hot seat, says CBS Sports.
It’s a prove-it season for McCarthy: stay healthy, win the job early, and stop leaving the door open.
Tyler Sullivan sized up all quarterbacks on the hot seat in 2026, and McCarthy checked in at No. 2 behind Shedeur Sanders of the Cleveland Browns.
Minnesota’s QB Room Has a Man on the Hot Seat
McCarthy has one big chance to prove it.
Sullivan: McCarthy Is on the Hot Seat
McCarthy was included on Sullivan’s “hot seat” list, grouped with passers like C.J. Stroud, Michael Penix Jr., and Bryce Young.
On McCarthy, he wrote, “The Vikings bungled their quarterback situation, and it may have cost them their Super Bowl window. They decided to ride with McCarthy and allow Sam Darnold to depart in free agency last offseason after a 14-3 regular season in 2024. Darnold went on to win a Super Bowl with Seattle, while McCarthy has largely struggled as the starter.”
“That decision was seemingly a driving force in Minnesota firing GM Kwesi Adofo-Mensah. A new GM won’t have the same investment in McCarthy as Adofo-Mensah did, so the former first-round pick is truly at a crossroads in 2026. In fact, it wouldn’t be surprising if the Vikings, under interim GM Rob Brzezinski, bring in some competition this offseason. Depending on who comes aboard (Mac Jones, Tua Tagovailoa, etc.), McCarthy’s job could vanish before we even get to Week 1.”
McCarthy will likely have to fight like hell this summer to keep his job, let alone worry about the 2026 regular season hot seat.
“In 2025, McCarthy was 6-4 as the starter, completed just 57.6% of his passes, and had more interceptions (12) than touchdowns (11). However, the Michigan product did flash a little bit down the stretch, owning a 4-0 record over his final four games in 2025 with seven total touchdowns and just three turnovers,” Sullivan added.
“Is that the tide turning in a positive direction? That remains to be seen, but the Vikings aren’t exactly acting like it is as they seem open to an upgrade if one is realistically available to them.”
A Competition This Time
In 2025, the Vikings ultimately took heat for “handing McCarthy the job.” The club’s QB2 was Brett Rypien until the draft, when Adofo-Mensah traded for Sam Howell, who was dropped four months later. The Vikings then signed Carson Wentz, and he wound up starting five games because of McCarthy’s injury woes.
Minnesota almost certainly won’t give McCarthy a cakewalk this offseason and summer. Head coach Kevin O’Connell, who some believe is the personnel general manager, will find another quarterback to push McCarthy to the limit or perhaps take his job on paper by the end of March.
Some logical candidates included Kyler Murray, Mac Jones, Malik Willis, Kirk Cousins, Aaron Rodgers, Derek Carr, Tua Tagovailoa, Anthony Richardson, and Will Levis.
The Sweet and Salty of J.J. McCarthy
McCarthy’s season presented a stark contrast between flashes of brilliance and frustrating injury setbacks, particularly during the middle of the year. After returning from a high ankle sprain, his performance became inconsistent, with productive theatrics emerging only late in games. This difficult three-game stretch culminated in a concussion against Green Bay, further contributing to the stop-and-start rhythm that ruined much of his season.
However, the first game of 2025 showcased McCarthy’s potential. He engineered a 4th Quarter comeback in Chicago and earned NFC Offensive Player of the Week honors in his first start. Later, he demonstrated resilience by returning from the ankle injury to secure a hard-fought road victory in Detroit, delivering one of his most impressive performances in a raucous environment.
Towards the end of the season, McCarthy displayed Pro Bowl-caliber play against Washington, Dallas, and New York before a hairline fracture in his hand sidelined him once more.
As Minnesota looks ahead to 2025, they have a quarterback capable of making exceptional throws and orchestrating late-game heroics. The primary concern remains his health.
A Grand Climax Awaits
Thankfully for eager fans’ sake, the wait is nearly over on the identity of McCarthy’s new quarterback teammate. NFL free agency kicks off in 13 days with “legal tampering.” Minnesota will either sign a free agent like Willis or trade for a passer like Murray or Jones. It could also sign a seasoned veteran like Jimmy Garoppolo to act as steady QB2 insurance.
Once the Vikings reveal that man, it will be easier to gauge McCarthy’s hot seat, the one described by Sullivan. Suppose the Vikings trade for Mac Jones. McCarthy’s seat will instantly become toasty. A Garoppolo signing or someone similar will take the hot-seat conversation all the way through the regular season.
On the whole, Sullivan is right. The 2026 summer, fall, and winter are McCarthy’s one big shot to prove he has QB1 staying power as a 23-year-old. If he does not, he’ll get in line with the Baker Mayfields and Sam Darnolds to prove himself at a later date well into his 20s.
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