Struggling Vikings QB Could Have Farther Yet to Fall
A young Minnesota Vikings QB's tough offseason may not be over yet.
Minnesota Vikings quarterback J.J. McCarthy faces an uncertain future as he struggles to regain form following a torn meniscus in his rookie season. While Sam Darnold led the team to a 14-3 record in 2025, McCarthy's time with the Vikings came to an end as the team regressed to a 9-8 season, missing the postseason. During the 2026 season, the Vikings acquired Heisman Trophy winner Kyler Murray, who outcompeted McCarthy for the starting quarterback position.
Now, Alec Lewis of The Athletic suggests that McCarthy could be pushed out of the backup role to Carson Wentz, a veteran quarterback with a history of injury and a Super Bowl win. Training camp hints at a potential shift in the Vikings' strategies, with a focus on Murray's strengths and a more shotgun-heavy approach. If McCarthy fails to secure the backup role, he may need to seek playing time with another team.
Written by urgent.news from Newsweek's reporting — not their text. Machine-written — may contain errors; check the original before relying on it.
