There is no time for dwelling on the situation for J.J. McCarthy, not with the Minnesota Vikings actively signing his replacement even as they keep up appearances of a competition heading into the 2026 draft.
McCarthy is coming off back-to-back seasons that were defined at least in part by injuries, and this past season included erratic play on the field.
With the annual fresh start at his disposal, McCarthy cannot afford to waste reps this offseason.
J.J. McCarthy Gets Reality Check From Vikings’ Justin Jefferson
GettyJ.J. McCarthy #9 of the Minnesota Vikings warms up before a game against the Chicago Bears.
McCarthy, the 10th overall pick in 2024, saw the Vikings sign former No. 1 overall pick Kyler Murray (2019) in free agency in a move that all but signaled the end of the third-year QB’s tenure in Minnesota. The Vikings have said they still have faith in McCarthy, even though their actions suggest otherwise.
Vikings star Justin Jefferson did not mince words.
“For J.J., for somebody [Murray] to enter that room with that type of ability, that type of talent, he’s [McCarthy] got to step it up a little bit. So, it’s good for him to feel that type of pressure and to really lock in a little bit and say, ‘It’s either now or I’m going to take that backseat again,’” Jefferson told reporters on April 20.
“It’s all a competitive mindset when it comes to these type of things. So, it’s all about who’s ready for that moment and who’s ready to step up and take that initiative.”
McCarthy missed his entire rookie season due to a knee injury that required two surgeries to address. He completed 57.6% of his passes for 1,632 yards, 11 touchdowns, and 12 interceptions in 10 games (all starts) for the Vikings in 2025.
The Vikings turned to Sam Darnold in 2024, winning 14 games and making the postseason. Last season, Carson Wentz and Max Brosmer also made starts.
That is hardly the kind of arc that fosters development.
Justin Jefferson Working With J.J. McCarthy
GettyJ.J. McCarthy #9 of the Minnesota Vikings looks on against the Atlanta Falcons.
The uncertainty has fueled speculation about McCarthy’s future with the Vikings and trade possibilities. However, Jefferson has clearly not given up on McCarthy, saying that he has worked out with the QB this offseason.
“Have been doing that, and it’s been going very well. So, just trying to continue meeting up with him, creating that time and creating that connection, building on those type of things. Talking to him about the different things that he should work on, different things I should work on, and just keeping that connection and that relationship is the big thing,” Jefferson said.
“We’ll continue to do that, continue to work with Kyler and all of the quarterbacks that I can work with, just so we know that connection is top-tier when we start training camp.”
He also expects McCarthy to continue improving, a key if he hopes to get to be a starter again.
“I feel like he’s a lot more confident into where I’m going to be at, how fast I’m going to get there, what timing to throw that ball before I break. He’s kind of understanding all of that,” Jefferson said of McCarthy’s offseason progress.
“It comes with time. It comes with just seeing it. Repetition and seeing it over and over again. So, by this time next year, he’s going to be a totally different quarterback than he is now. So, just trying to work with him every single chance that I get, trying to fix the little things that we can fix. But at the end of the day, he’s not perfect, and we’re not expecting him to be perfect. So, just trying to get him as close to perfect as we can.”
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