The first round status of J.J. McCarthy might be out the window for the Minnesota Vikings. With former Arizona Cardinals QB Kyler Murray now in the fold, Minnesota wants to go with the player who will help them win games, as they have a team built to contend now.
If McCarthy does start for the Vikings this season, he’ll have either edged out Murray in the QB competition. Then, there’s the possibility that he will get an opportunity if the 28-year-old falters at any point or suffers an injury.
With OTAs and mandatory minicamp on the horizon for the Vikings, Sports Illustrated’s Albert Breer shared whether he believes McCarthy will see the field this upcoming 2026 NFL season.
“The Vikings have a roster built to win right now, and this is not going to be a development year for J.J. McCarthy,” Breer said in the May 13 edition of the “Breer Report.“ “McCarthy will have to prove to the Vikings coaching staff that he gives them the best chance to win immediately.
“If Kyler Murray gives them the best chance to win right now, then Kyler Murray will be the quarterback. This is no longer about draft status. It is about who can help the team win now. If they can do that, then maybe they can build on something moving forward. Still, it does feel likely that McCarthy will see the field at some point this season.”
Can J.J. McCarthy Put It All Together for the Vikings?
Moreover, Breer leaves the door open that this competition could be what pushes McCarthy to put it all together and show that he’s an NFL starting QB. The Vikings’ signal-caller could go down the path of former first-round picks to overcome their adversity and find success.
“I think this is a real wild card,“ Breer added. “In 2026, the question is the status of J.J. McCarthy. He could wind up putting it all together, and we’ve seen first-round picks figure things out later in their careers. It happened for Sam Darnold. It happened for Baker Mayfield. Those guys needed changes of scenery to get there.
“So, does J.J. McCarthy blow the team away in OTAs? Does he impress everyone in training camp? He’s going to have an opportunity to win that job, but can he actually do it? This is with a guy who’s probably going to come in and take the first snap of training camp.
J.J. McCarthy Gets Strong Words From Adam Schefter
While Murray is the favorite, given his production in the NFL and his status as a former No. 1 pick, ESPN NFL insider Adam Schefter isn’t ruling out McCarthy from potentially winning the job.
“I’m not ready to write off J.J. yet,“ Schefter said on a May 8 appearance on the “Pat McAfee Show.“ “… “There’s a boatload of talent in Minnesota, and that doesn’t even include a head coach who is obviously adept and proficient at getting these offensive plays in and having the offensive production that Kevin O’Connell has. I don’t know how you handicap it.
“I think a lot of people believe that Kyler is going to wind up as the starting quarterback, but I think J.J. McCarthy is going to give him a run still. I don’t think the Vikings are ready or willing to give up on J.J. McCarthy just yet.
“I think they’ve got two good quarterbacks there. These are two high draft picks, so it will play out, but I think a lot of people believe Kyler is going to prevail and win the job. But again, I’m not ready to give up on J.J. just yet.”
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