Vikings quarterback J.J. McCarthy won’t be the team’s starter in 2026. In his first sessions with reporters since the decision to go with Kyler Murray was announced, McCarthy was asked whether he thinks he’s still a starter in this league.
“Yes, I believe so,” McCarthy said. “And I’m always gonna have that confidence in myself, no matter what. But at this time it’s doing whatever I can for the team, and, you know, being ready when my number’s called. And that’s all that matters, that’s all I can control.”
Control is the key. He ultimately couldn’t control the decision made by the coaching staff to make him a backup to Murray.
“Decision was made that was out of my control, and obviously, every competitor wants to play,” McCarthy said earlier in the press conference. “But moving forward, it’s just about continuing to work hard and just staying ready for when my number’s called.”
He said he was “obviously disappointed” about the decision. “But at the end of the day, you know, it’s in the past, and I’m moving on to the next practice, the next rep, the same mindset I had going into it, and focusing on the Giants this week,” McCarthy said.
“I’m really proud of my development,” McCarthy added. “You know, I feel like I’ve grown in so many different areas, and it’s gonna just continue to do that, and I’m gonna keep my head down and keep working.”
As he goes from QB1 to QB2 in Minnesota, McCarthy was asked whether he thinks he can become Minnesota’s starter again.
“Like I said before, you know, this is a place I want to be, and I love every single person in this building,” he said. “I love this state. I love the fan base, and I’m gonna continue to just do whatever I can for this team, this organization.”
Does he think he got a fair chance to win the job with the Vikings?
“Honestly, I wasn’t thinking about that at all. I was just thinking about that opportunity, that next opportunity to capitalize on, and continue to develop and grow,” McCarthy said. “That’s really all I was focused on.”
If he wasn’t thinking about whether he got a fair chance during the competition, does he think he got a fair shot now that it’s over?
“Same way,” McCarthy said. “I couldn’t control anything during, couldn’t control anything after. And the only thing I could do is focus on that next rep and keep attacking.”
Overall, McCarthy’s comments don’t mesh with the notion being perpetuated by the likes of ESPN’s Adam Schefter, who seems to believe McCarthy wants a fresh start elsewhere. And maybe McCarthy has opted to continue to say all the right things while privately planning to find a chance to get back on the field with another team.
If, as McCarthy believes, he’s a starter in the NFL, he presumably prefers to start elsewhere than to be on the bench with the Vikings.
For now, all starting jobs are taken. Come 2027, that likely will change. In the interim, all he can do is wait — either for a chance to replace Murray in Minnesota or for an injury elsewhere that prompts a trade that would give McCarthy an opportunity to play right away.
And he will get a chance to play this weekend, against the Giants in a preseason game.
“Extremely excited,” he said. “It’s always a blessing to be able to go out and go to battle with your teammates, with your brothers, against somebody else. And I’m really excited to see what this group looks like. All ninety guys were really happy and proud of the work we put in, so we’re ready to put it on display.”
For McCarthy, putting it on display may not get him on the field for games that count for the Vikings. It could, however, get someone else interested in him, now or in the future.
