Kevin O’Connell addresses JJ McCarthy’s future with Vikings

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Kevin O’Connell addresses JJ McCarthy’s future with Vikings

Originally posted on Larry Brown Sports | By Grey Papke | Last updated Aug 11, 2026 3:51 PM ET

The Minnesota Vikings are maintaining that JJ McCarthy still has a future with the organization despite him losing the team’s starting quarterback job to Kyler Murray.

The Vikings announced Tuesday that Murray will be their Week 1 starter, beating out McCarthy for the job before the team even starts playing preseason games. Head coach Kevin O’Connell, however, was adamant that McCarthy still has a future with the organization.

O’Connell said McCarthy is locked in as the No. 2 quarterback, and that the organization remains committed to helping him “continue to improve as a young player in the most difficult position in sports.”

J.J. McCarthy is the Vikings’ No. 2 QB. Kevin O’Connell says he believes McCarthy has a future with the organization.
— Kevin Seifert (@SeifertESPN) August 11, 2026

Kevin O'Connell on J.J. McCarthy: "As he knows, he's holding the pen on his story and we're going to support him and try to just help him continue to improve as a young player in the most difficult position in sports."
— Kevin Seifert (@SeifertESPN) August 11, 2026

O’Connell could certainly be right about McCarthy still having a future with the team. However, it would certainly be an unusual comeback, as it’s quite uncommon for young quarterbacks to get multiple shots with a franchise after being benched.

After missing his entire rookie season due to injury, McCarthy started for Minnesota last season. He went 6-4, but threw 12 interceptions against 11 touchdowns and struggled for the vast majority of the season. The Vikings made it a priority to bring in veteran competition this offseason, which led to the signing of Murray.

McCarthy is still just 23 and may still have a future somewhere. However, it is fair to question if that future is not in Minnesota in light of his benching and some previous reports earlier in the offseason.

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