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The bad part for J.J. McCarthy being named the Minnesota Vikings’ backup on Tuesday, before the Vikings even play a preseason game, isn’t that he lost the competition. It’s that Tuesday’s news from ESPN that Kyler Murray had been named starting quarterback was confirmation that it was never really a competition at all.
The NFL offseason can be long and some pumped up the “competition” between Kyler Murray and McCarthy like it was a real thing, but everyone should have known better. There was a small chance that McCarthy had a fantastic camp, showing why he was the 10th pick of the NFL Draft just two years ago, and winning the job. That didn’t happen, and the Vikings weren’t going to waste the rest of August on the charade.
The way it all unfolded is bad news for McCarthy, who has just 10 career starts but now faces a pretty big question: What happens next?
J.J. McCarthy was named the Vikings' No. 2 quarterback behind Kyler Murray. (Photo by David Berding/Getty Images)
David Berding via Getty Images
McCarthy wasn’t pushed to the side by a great quarterback. The Arizona Cardinals, who are in the running to be the worst team in the NFL this season, took on a dead cap hit of $54.7 million to be done with Murray with no great Plan B at quarterback. That’s who the Vikings signed in March to usurp McCarthy, who they traded up for in the draft and gave all of 10 starts.
It was a rough 2025 season for McCarthy. He missed his rookie season with an injury, and the Vikings went 14-3 with Sam Darnold replacing him. They let Darnold walk in free agency, and McCarthy’s struggles looked even worse as Darnold won a Super Bowl with the Seahawks.
Clearly, the Vikings were fed up. They went 9-8 despite ranking 30th in the NFL with a 75.3 passer rating, and had to believe that even mediocre quarterback play would have gotten them to the playoffs. Murray can be a mediocre quarterback.
Clearly, the Vikings thought Murray was by far the superior option to start the season, making the call four days before their preseason opener. Though, it seems clear they made that call in March and were just leaving the light on for McCarthy just in case he had a great camp.
He didn’t, and it sure looks like the Vikings are throwing in the towel on the 10th pick after 10 starts.
Anything is possible in the NFL. The Browns have suffered through years of embarrassment with Deshaun Watson, their owner called the pick a “big swing and miss,” and still the team is entertaining the option of having Watson be their starting quarterback this season. Never say any possibility is dead in the NFL.
It’s just hard to find a way back for McCarthy, at least in Minnesota. We’re in an era of players like Darnold having a rebirth after not working out with their first (or even second or third) teams. McCarthy is only 23 years old with 243 NFL passing attempts. It might be a long road back, and he’d have to find the right opportunity, but he’ll get other chances. Zach Wilson didn’t work out as the second pick of the 2021 NFL Draft with the Jets, but since April of 2024, three different teams have acquired him. Other highly drafted quarterbacks have gotten multiple chances after struggling right away.
A trade isn’t impossible. The Vikings have Carson Wentz as their No. 3 quarterback, and while he isn’t a preferred starter at this point in his career, he’s a viable backup option. Murray is on just a one-year deal so it’s possible the Vikings make McCarthy stick it out (he is signed through 2027 with a fifth-year option for 2028 that seems very unlikely to be picked up), and there’s a chance McCarthy gets a shot to start at some point this season and starts to change the narrative surrounding his career.
But at this point, McCarthy thriving with the Vikings seems to be a long shot. It doesn’t mean his chance to be a good starting NFL quarterback is over. But after this offseason and Tuesday’s predictable news, it’s hard to figure out how it happens in Minnesota.
Continue reading...
The NFL offseason can be long and some pumped up the “competition” between Kyler Murray and McCarthy like it was a real thing, but everyone should have known better. There was a small chance that McCarthy had a fantastic camp, showing why he was the 10th pick of the NFL Draft just two years ago, and winning the job. That didn’t happen, and the Vikings weren’t going to waste the rest of August on the charade.
The way it all unfolded is bad news for McCarthy, who has just 10 career starts but now faces a pretty big question: What happens next?
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J.J. McCarthy was named the Vikings' No. 2 quarterback behind Kyler Murray. (Photo by David Berding/Getty Images)
David Berding via Getty Images
J.J. McCarthy can’t win starting job
McCarthy wasn’t pushed to the side by a great quarterback. The Arizona Cardinals, who are in the running to be the worst team in the NFL this season, took on a dead cap hit of $54.7 million to be done with Murray with no great Plan B at quarterback. That’s who the Vikings signed in March to usurp McCarthy, who they traded up for in the draft and gave all of 10 starts.
It was a rough 2025 season for McCarthy. He missed his rookie season with an injury, and the Vikings went 14-3 with Sam Darnold replacing him. They let Darnold walk in free agency, and McCarthy’s struggles looked even worse as Darnold won a Super Bowl with the Seahawks.
Clearly, the Vikings were fed up. They went 9-8 despite ranking 30th in the NFL with a 75.3 passer rating, and had to believe that even mediocre quarterback play would have gotten them to the playoffs. Murray can be a mediocre quarterback.
Clearly, the Vikings thought Murray was by far the superior option to start the season, making the call four days before their preseason opener. Though, it seems clear they made that call in March and were just leaving the light on for McCarthy just in case he had a great camp.
He didn’t, and it sure looks like the Vikings are throwing in the towel on the 10th pick after 10 starts.
Will McCarthy be with the Vikings?
Anything is possible in the NFL. The Browns have suffered through years of embarrassment with Deshaun Watson, their owner called the pick a “big swing and miss,” and still the team is entertaining the option of having Watson be their starting quarterback this season. Never say any possibility is dead in the NFL.
It’s just hard to find a way back for McCarthy, at least in Minnesota. We’re in an era of players like Darnold having a rebirth after not working out with their first (or even second or third) teams. McCarthy is only 23 years old with 243 NFL passing attempts. It might be a long road back, and he’d have to find the right opportunity, but he’ll get other chances. Zach Wilson didn’t work out as the second pick of the 2021 NFL Draft with the Jets, but since April of 2024, three different teams have acquired him. Other highly drafted quarterbacks have gotten multiple chances after struggling right away.
A trade isn’t impossible. The Vikings have Carson Wentz as their No. 3 quarterback, and while he isn’t a preferred starter at this point in his career, he’s a viable backup option. Murray is on just a one-year deal so it’s possible the Vikings make McCarthy stick it out (he is signed through 2027 with a fifth-year option for 2028 that seems very unlikely to be picked up), and there’s a chance McCarthy gets a shot to start at some point this season and starts to change the narrative surrounding his career.
But at this point, McCarthy thriving with the Vikings seems to be a long shot. It doesn’t mean his chance to be a good starting NFL quarterback is over. But after this offseason and Tuesday’s predictable news, it’s hard to figure out how it happens in Minnesota.
Continue reading...
