The Minnesota Vikings are in the midst of the 2026 NFL draft, but once that wraps up, they’ll get back to the question of J.J. McCarthy or Kyler Murray. Which player will be their quarterback one?
Former NFL player Damien Woody has his thoughts on it. In the Tuesday, April 21, edition of NFL on ESPN, Woody talks about the Vikings’ quarterback situation and has a grim prediction for McCarthy.
The Minnesota Vikings drafted McCarthy as the 10th overall pick in the first round of the 2024 NFL draft. They had high hopes for the player, but he missed his first season due to an injury and had a so-so debut in 2025. During the offseason, the team inked quarterback Kyler Murray to a one-year, $1.3 million contract, according to Spotrac research.
Vikings QB J.J. McCarthy Gets Dismal Prediction From Former NFL Player Says
On NFL on ESPN, Woody bluntly said that he believes McCarthy is halfway out the door. Speaking on the show, he makes the point that Murray wouldn’t have taken the gig with the Vikings if he didn’t know he’d be their go-to quarterback.
“I think this is spelling the end for J.J. McCarthy,” Woody said on the show. “Kyler Murray did not sign with Minnesota to be anyone’s backup. I think Kyler Murray’s talent and the infrastructure around him, is going to allow him to excel. If you’re Minnesota, do you want the same thing that happened with Sam Darnold playing in Minnesota?”
He added, “And I know that Murray has no trade clause or no franchise clause in his contract, but like, there is no way if Murray goes out there and rips it up that you’re going to let him out of that building. There is absolutely no way.”
It’s worth noting that the person who drafted McCarthy, of course, Kwesi Adofo-Mensah, is no longer with the franchise. That also sends a message that the Vikings are perhaps not happy with his choices, including the McCarthy pick.
Minnesota Vikings Draft Grade
The Vikings are in the middle of the 2026 NFL draft, and they’re getting graded on their choices. Chad Reuter of the NFL’s official website gives the Vikings a C+ grade after their round two and three picks.
So far, the Vikings have drafted defensive lineman Caleb Banks, linebacker Jake Golday, defensive tackle Domonique Orange, offensive tackle Caleb Tiernan and safety Jakobe Thomas.
“Golday could be a solid starter because of his toughness and athleticism, but there were players of better value available,” he states in the piece. “Minnesota’s lack of depth on the defensive line led them to pick a second DT in ‘Big Citrus.’”
He adds in the story, “In most drafts, a run-stuffer like Orange would be a Day 3 selection, but a lack of talent up front pushed him up boards. Tiernan should become a solid swing tackle for the Vikings, and Thomas is a physical player picked ahead of higher-rated safeties Kamari Ramsey and Zakee Wheatley.”
Banks’ biggest issue is that he’s been out injured for an entire season. If he can get healthy again, he’ll be a solid addition to the Vikings, but that’s an if.
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