All articles tagged with #jj mccarthy
An NFL insider floated the idea that Minnesota could field trade calls for J.J. McCarthy as he competes for a backup role behind Kyler Murray, with Carson Wentz pushing him to QB3. McCarthy’s preseason reportedly hasn’t shown clear progress, prompting questions about his development and whether Minnesota can recoup value on draft capital if he ends up behind Wentz.
J.J. McCarthy left Minnesota's 13-3 preseason loss to Baltimore after a big first-quarter hit but downplayed long-term health concerns amid trade buzz around his Vikings future; coach Kevin O'Connell had planned more work for him but kept him out, as Carson Wentz came on to go 9-of-11 for 92 yards, while McCarthy finished 5-of-10 for 81 yards. With Kyler Murray named Minnesota's starter for the upcoming campaign, the backup job remains unsettled ahead of the finale against the Broncos.
J.J. McCarthy was uneven in four second-team series, completing 5 of 10 passes for 81 yards (including a 50-yard connection to Tai Felton) but also overthrowing open receivers and showing a turnover‑on‑downs; Max Brosmer finished the game 11 of 17 for 98 yards as Minnesota lost 13-3 to Baltimore, leaving the Vikings’ backup QB situation behind Kyler Murray unsettled.
J.J. McCarthy’s second preseason showing for Minnesota did little to quiet concerns about accuracy and mechanics, finishing 5-for-10 for 81 yards and missing several open red-zone targets, including a wide-open Myles Price on a fourth-down play. Despite earlier talk of growth, the same issues that haunted him last season persisted, and the Vikings’ QB competition still centers on Kyler Murray for now. McCarthy remains a long way from a ready-to-play role after limited NFL experience and recovery from injuries.
In Minnesota’s preseason matchup with Baltimore, J.J. McCarthy started and went 5-for-10 for 81 yards, missing a sideline target on the first snap and another pass to Myles Price near the end zone. He was sacked once and absorbed multiple hits, and appeared to be wincing on the sideline after his final drive, as Carson Wentz entered in the second quarter and coach Kevin O’Connell kept the door open for a QB2 competition.
J.J. McCarthy remains in a competition for Minnesota’s No. 2 quarterback behind the incumbent starter, after a subdued preseason showing (4-for-7 for 34 yards) that failed to separate him from the rival, Carson Wentz, who had a stronger outing (9-for-14 for 81 yards, TD) and earned more snaps after fourth-stringer Max Brosmer was injured. With no clear trade partner and questions about McCarthy’s viability as a future starter, the Vikings will be watching closely to prevent him from slipping to No. 3 on the depth chart.
In the Vikings’ 10-3 preseason win over the Giants, JJ McCarthy saw the bulk of first-half action after Kyler Murray started, as rumors persist that McCarthy wants out of Minnesota with insiders suggesting a trade could come by season’s end. Several teams (Giants, Dolphins, Eagles) are floated as potential destinations if he becomes available, though his current trade value is reportedly low. The saga continues amid questions about his progression and maturity as Minnesota weighs options for a quicker rebuild or a fresh start for the quarterback.
Kyler Murray has officially earned the Vikings’ QB1 label for 2026, while J.J. McCarthy’s future remains uncertain; in the first preseason game Minnesota edged the Giants 13-10 as Murray capped a 10-play, 54-yard opening drive, Wentz saw more action after Brosmer’s injury, the run game clicked behind Jones and Mason, Myles Price impressed with four receptions and a one-handed TD, and Dallas Turner and Jacob Thomas contributed on defense, all shadowed by Jamal Adams’ likely season-ending injury.
McCarthy, 23, finishes last season with a shaky 11 TD to 12 INT line across 10 starts and a string of injuries, leading Vikings to name Kyler Murray the starter. While some NFL evaluators still believe he has the athletic tools and potential to mature into a starter, others worry his inconsistencies and off-the-field development could limit his ceiling. Teams are watching his growth and may offer another chance to start either in Minnesota or elsewhere, depending on how he refines game management and consistency.
ESPN insider Adam Schefter sparked a debate by saying J.J. McCarthy will be ‘forced’ to back up Kyler Murray with the Vikings, but Ross Tucker questions the wording and the premise. In reality Minnesota handed the job to Murray after camp, given McCarthy’s limited NFL starting experience and injury history, leaving McCarthy in a development role with questions about his future and possible moves.
With Kyler Murray starting Week 1 over J.J. McCarthy, Daily Norseman roundtable participants debate whether the competition was real, how much McCarthy has progressed, and whether he’ll see another regular-season snap or land elsewhere as a backup or traded asset; while some see a future starter with the right coaching, others doubt McCarthy's long-term viability, and potential destination ideas include the Chargers, Buccaneers, Dolphins, and Patriots, among others.
After months of deliberation, the Vikings named Kyler Murray their starting quarterback over J.J. McCarthy, citing a cheaper, more mobile fit. McCarthy says he’ll stay ready, and a trade can’t be ruled out; Carson Wentz remains as a potential backup. Murray arrives on a veteran-minimum deal with injury history, a move that follows Minnesota’s leadership changes.
Vikings coach Kevin O’Connell named Kyler Murray Minnesota’s Week 1 starter over J.J. McCarthy, who handled the setback professionally and reaffirmed that Minnesota is the place he wants to be while staying ready as Murray’s backup.
Vikings QB J.J. McCarthy says he still believes he can be a starter in the NFL, but 2026 puts him as Kyler Murray’s backup after Minnesota’s decision. He emphasized he can’t control the outcome, will stay ready and continue developing, and will get a preseason chance against the Giants to showcase his abilities for future opportunities either with Minnesota or elsewhere.
Kyler Murray was named the Vikings' Week 1 starting quarterback over J.J. McCarthy, set to host the Green Bay Packers. Murray joined Minnesota on a one-year deal after seven seasons with Arizona, bringing veteran leadership as McCarthy, a 2024 draft pick, works to overcome injuries and adapt to the NFL.