Things go from bad to worse for J.J. McCarthy

JJ McCarthy. Credit: Raymond Carlin III-Imagn Images

Things go from bad to worse for J.J. McCarthy

Originally posted on Total Pro Sports | By Orlando Silva | Last updated Apr 29, 2026 5:44 PM ET

Minnesota Vikings quarterback JJ McCarthy has been at the center of plenty of rumors during the 2026 NFL offseason. He was nearly traded to an AFC team after an uninspiring 2025 season that saw him share starts with Max Brosmer.

After Sam Darnold left the Vikings and led the Seattle Seahawks to Super Bowl glory, many wondered if Minnesota made a mistake sticking with McCarthy.

They signed Kyler Murray in free agency, adding competition to a room that had McCarthy, Brosmer and Carson Wentz.

Now that the draft is over, the picture of the Vikings’ plans seems clearer, and it is bad news for McCarthy.

JJ McCarthy’s future looks dark

JJ McCarthy (Photo By Jeff Hanisch-Imagn Images)

On Tuesday, NFL.com’s Kevin Patra expressed his concerns about JJ McCarthy’s future with the Vikings, as the team will begin what he called a “quarterback battle royal.”

“The assumption is that Murray signed to be the starter, and little we’ve heard suggests otherwise,” Patra wrote. “But we need to see the QBs on the field to cement that belief. The future of J.J. McCarthy is the big question. Will he push Murray? Will he wash out and even be leapfrogged by Carson Wentz? Kevin O’Connell has always spoken positively about McCarthy, but the Vikings’ offseason actions in the QB room tell a different story. Would the Vikings keep the first-round pick around if he’s QB3?”

McCarthy played 10 games in 2025, going 140-of-243 for 1,632 yards and 11 touchdowns with 12 interceptions.

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

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