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J.J. McCarthy Dealt Bad Update Amid Vikings Rumors

Originally posted on Athlon Sports | By Manhaz Muntaha | Last updated Mar 4, 2026 1:22 PM ET

J.J. McCarthy finished his 2025 campaign with 1,632 passing yards, 11 touchdowns against 12 interceptions across 10 games. But this stat line tells only half the story.

The 2024 No. 10 overall pick missed chunks of time after suffering a high ankle sprain in Week 2, eventually sitting until Week 9, and then later sustained a hairline fracture in his right hand that kept him out of the regular-season finale. Altogether, Kevin O'Connell’s squad ended their season with a disappointing 9-8 record.

That's the backdrop heading into a critical NFL offseason, as reports now suggest the Vikings could be giving up their 23-year-old quarterback, with the Arizona Cardinals set to release their franchise signal-caller, Kyler Murray.

At the NFL combine, neither executive vice president Rob Brzezinski nor head coach O'Connell committed to keeping McCarthy in the starter's role for 2026.

Minnesota Vikings quarterback J.J. McCarthy (9).Jeffrey Becker-Imagn Images

ESPN’s Dan Graziano reported that Murray and Geno Smith are the Vikings’ top veteran targets, with Minnesota potentially pursuing either on a low-cost, one-year deal to prove themselves.

Now, CBS Sports reporter Jonathan Jones wrote, "Things ended poorly between Murray and the Cardinals organization, and it was clear around the league that Arizona would have to release him this month… Murray would immediately compete with J.J. McCarthy this offseason for starting quarterback rights."

Murray’s seven years in Arizona resulted in only one playoff appearance, and the Cardinals will likely cut him. Because Arizona still owes him $36.8 million in guarantees for 2026, a new team could sign him for the $1.3 million league minimum while the Cardinals pay the rest. This makes him a cheap, high-upside option for Minnesota.

Meanwhile, McCarthy has little leverage to keep his starting spot after throwing 11 touchdowns against 12 interceptions last season. While these are just reports for now, O'Connell faces a choice between sticking with his developing draft pick or bringing in a proven veteran for almost nothing.

This article first appeared on Athlon Sports and was syndicated with permission.

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