Have We Seen J.J. McCarthy’s Last Snap with the Vikings?
The Minnesota Vikings are set to hold a competition for their starting quarterback role in 2026. No one actually being honest with themselves believes that J.J. McCarthy is going to overtake Kyler Murray unless he’s undergone a ridiculous level of offseason development.
Of course, the Vikings wouldn’t mind seeing that happen, and there’s nothing better than a competitor rising to the occasion. Minnesota invested the 10th overall pick in McCarthy during the 2025 NFL Draft, and they envisioned him as their long-term starting answer.
A Backup Role Could Change McCarthy’s Timeline
On the flip side, there is very little risk in what Murray brings to the table. He has proven his ability at the highest level, and with the Arizona Cardinals paying the freight for his services, he costs just $1.3 million to wear purple this season. Should his expected talent show up, then McCarthy will be on the bench, but it’s worth wondering if he would even be there.
If McCarthy can’t win the starting job, then he remains a developmental project. That isn’t the type of quarterback you want holding the clipboard and operating as the next man up should something happen to your starter. Carson Wentz, a veteran with experience but little expectations, is the embodiment of a backup. Minnesota valued that sort in Sean Mannion and Case Keenum previously.
Truthfully, if McCarthy doesn’t win the starting job, then he probably assumes the QB3 role. At that point, he’s a weekly scratch, and not someone you need to consider the implications of every week. While you’d be parting him out for pennies on the dollar, and you’ll never see the value you once invested in him, it’s hard not to consider moving on.
McCarthy hasn’t done anything to warrant being considered an addition-by-subtraction talent, but the questions surrounding his place or future may present as much. Do you really want a player that was drafted 10th overall three seasons ago to be buried third on your depth chart? Knowing you aren’t likely to pick up his fifth-year option, should you give another franchise that opportunity and get whatever compensation is available?
There’s no way, shy of another injury, that McCarthy won’t get reps this preseason. If Murray wins the starting job, though, McCarthy may never see the field for the Vikings again, and that’s probably the way it should be.
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