J.J.

McCarthy

This shouldn’t come as much of a surprise, but in case there were any questions about Wentz impacting McCarthy, those can now be laid to rest. Seifert reports the decision to bring back Wentz is “about avoiding the depth emergencies” the Vikings experienced at QB in 2023 and 2025, which resulted from multiple injuries at the position. Wentz, 33, appeared in five games for the Vikings last season, going 2-3 as a starter while throwing for 1,216-6-5 on 169 attempts. A shoulder injury permanently sidelined him for the season after a Week 8 loss to the Chargers, but Wentz should be good to go at the start of next season, and could open the season as high as QB2 on the depth chart — assuming Kyler Murray wins the starting job.

Wentz explored free agency for a few weeks and the Jets seemingly showed some interest before going in a different direction. He’s now back in Minnesota after throwing for 1,216 yards, six touchdowns, and five interceptions in 2025. Wentz went 2-3 as the team’s starter and before a shoulder injury knocked him out for the year. His return casts some doubt on the idea of J.J. McCarthy as the team’s QB2 behind Kyler Murray. At best, Wentz will push McCarthy for that role during the offseason.

NFL Network’s Tom Pelissero reports that Murray will make $36.8 million this season. The Cardinals will pay all but the minimum salary. National and local journalists reported yesterday that Murray could sign with the Vikings today, but the former Cardinals quarterback notably set up virtual meetings with executives from three to five teams that might be in need of a new starting quarterback in 2027. He did so with the goal of getting a head start on next year’s free agency cycle, signaling he intended to sign a one-year prove-it deal with the Vikings if the two sides could come to an agreement. Pelissero notes that the Vikings hope competition for the starting role brings out “the best” in QB J.J. McCarthy following a poor 2025 season for the young quarterback. Murray should be considered the favorite to run away with the job at this time and could warrant QB1 treatment, guided by quarterback-guru head coach, Kevin O’Connell.

Schefter notes that “the belief across the league is that the Vikings are Murray’s likely landing spot.” Schefter also cites Arizona Sports 98.7 FM Phoenix’s John Gambadoro, who broke the news regarding the scheduled visit. Gambadoro believes that a deal between the two sides could be done in the next 24 hours because finding an opportunity to start is a priority for Murray, “and Minnesota does offer that.” Bad news for QB J.J. McCarthy. That said, per Gambadoro, Murray is “expected to explore several options as a backup in 2026 for teams that could need a starting QB in 2027 over the next 24 hours.” Stay tuned.

You rarely see a quarterback talked about in public the way McCarthy has been this offseason — we can’t remember the last time it was leaked that a coaching staff didn’t trust a quarterback to take throws over the middle of the field. So it does make some sense that the Vikings could cut ties with McCarthy. A source told Pauline that “the team is really down” on McCarthy and is ready to move on from him. We’re not sure who would be in the market for him (Harbaugh reunion in Los Angeles as a backup?) after these past two seasons, but it wouldn’t be surprising if the Vikings tried to find a market for him.

Neither Brzezinski nor head coach Kevin O’Connell committed to J.J. McCarthy as the team’s 2026 starter following McCarthy’s ugly 2025 campaign. McCarthy, coming off a knee injury that wiped out his 2024 rookie season, ranked 39th out of 40 qualifying QBs in accuracy and 37th in drop backs success rate over ten games. O’Connell reportedly had to simplify the Minnesota playbook because McCarthy could not grasp the offense. “What we do know is we need a level of baseline quarterback play for us to be effective,” Brzezinski said. “A lot of this has been J.J. in unfortunate [situations] with some of the injuries and things that he’s dealt with, but we’re going to explore every opportunity, and I don’t think there’s anything specifically we’re looking for.” The team’s firing of GM Kwesi Adofo-Mensah last month might mean McCarthy’s time with the Vikings is all but over. Look for the Vikings to talk with Kirk Cousins in the coming weeks as the Falcons are expected to part ways with the former Minnesota starter. They could also show interest in Kyler Murray and Aaron Rodgers this offseason.

The depths of the McCarthy struggles last year were obvious, but the fact that the Vikings didn’t even trust him to do some fairly remedial work adds another layer to just how fractured this offense was. It’s almost impossible to imagine McCarthy winning a starting job against whoever the Vikings bring in this offseason. In fact, with Kwesi Adofo-Mensah fired, it’s probably not far-fetched to suggest that McCarthy could be available in a trade if another team still believes in him. If he stays in Minnesota, McCarthy is an easy fantasy football fade in 2026.

“If anything, [firing Adofo-Mensah] increase the chances that the Vikings will take a big swing at finding a veteran quarterback who could start in 2026,” Seifert writes. With the GM who believed in him gone, it’s likely that McCarthy will enter training camp in a competition for his job in the best-case scenario. His dynasty stock has gone full Anthony Richardson over the last year and he should not be treated as a sure-fire starter in best ball drafts this offseason.

Russini threw cold water on Vikings’ fans wildest dreams, reporting that the Bengals have no intention of trading Joe Burrow. Still, she believes the organization will bring in a veteran quarterback this offseason. That shouldn’t come as earth-shattering news given J.J. McCarthy’s struggles last season. Teammates Justin Jefferson and Aaron Jones went on a media blitz during Super Bowl week that included both of them essentially saying the team should’ve kept Sam Darnold. The Vikings can’t go back in time, but they can be proactive about next season. Kirk Cousins, Aaron Rodgers and Mac Jones come to mind as veteran options that could be available this offseason.

J.J. McCarthy “is going to be a major emphasis” per O’Connell, but the coach said “the competition in that room will only enhance the entire team.” It sure sounds like the Vikings are going to give McCarthy a bar he’ll have to clear in 2026 to start, whether that’s something like Mac Jones, another rookie, or perhaps a different bridge quarterback. McCarthy’s dynasty value and 2026 redraft value will take a major hit until and unless he manages to beat his competition out, leaving him a best ball flier at best.