The Minnesota Vikings drafted J. J. McCarthy in the 2024 NFL Draft as the 10th overall pick. After a 2025 season defined by physical setbacks and inconsistent play, the former first-round pick faces an uphill battle for his career, heading into the 2026 season.

The CFP National Champion for the Michigan Wolverines was picked over Sam Darnold, who last season led the Seattle Seahawks to the Super Bowl win. This has led to questions surrounding the Vikings' quarterback decision.

According to NFL.com's Kevin Patra, "The future of J.J. McCarthy is the big question.” This is because the Vikings have recently signed veteran QB Kyler Murray, as the Arizona Cardinals released him after seven seasons.

“The assumption is that Murray signed to be the starter, and little we’ve heard suggests otherwise,” Kevin Patra wrote.

Patra added, "Will he push Murray? Will he wash out and even be leapfrogged by Carson Wentz? Kevin O’Connell has always spoken positively about McCarthy, but the Vikings’ offseason actions in the QB room tell a different story. Would the Vikings keep the first-round pick around if he’s QB3?”

McCarthy was forced to miss his rookie season due to a torn meniscus in his right knee. Upon his return in 2025, McCarthy still suffered from several injuries throughout the year, including an ankle sprain, a concussion, and a hairline hand fracture.

As a result, he played only in 10 games (6-4), completed 57.6% passes with 1,632 passing yards for 11 touchdowns. He got sacked 27 times and had more interceptions (12) than touchdowns. McCarthy earned a 35.6 on his QBR, which is considered below average.

More Competition for J. J. McCarthy

In an interview with NBC, Head Coach Kevin O'Connell shared what he told McCarthy before signing Kyler Murray to a one-year deal:

“I was honest with him. I said, ‘We are going to elevate the room as a whole’… We know that there’s a standard to playing that position, that we need, through a competitive environment, get all of our QB’s to play to that standard, and when we do that, we’re gonna win football games.”

Simply put, with the option of veterans like two-time Pro Bowler Kyler Murray and the 2017 Super Bowl champion Carson Wentz (with the Philadelphia Eagles), the competition for McCarthy is tough. Especially when they both have more than 20,000 passing yards.

Though another younger QB with the team is last year's UDFA Max Brosmer, with 11,330 passing yards. And then we have McCarthy, who has been struggling with injuries and performance issues for the past two years.

However, the anticipation about the depth chart will be cleared in June, with the beginning of mandatory minicamp.

Read more on the Michigan Football Community

Written by

Samvruth Raj

Edited by

Rudra Dubey