Vikings Legend Cris Carter Sends Clear J.J. McCarthy Message

A Minnesota Vikings Hall of Famer made clear this week that the team should not walk away from quarterback J.J. McCarthy despite the young signal-caller losing his starting role.

Cris Carter, one of the franchise’s all-time great wide receivers, argued that sticking with McCarthy still makes sense for the organization. The former star pointed to the practical side of the situation while weighing in on the latest quarterback shuffle.

McCarthy dropped to the backup role earlier this week after the Vikings elevated Kyler Murray to the top spot. The decision has split fans who have long hoped for consistency under center. McCarthy started last season but dealt with injuries and uneven performances that left questions about his future.

Carter pushed back against the idea of moving on too quickly.

“You have him at a fixed price… It doesn’t make sense to give up on JJ. You still have at least another year if you wanted to that you can manage his salary… there is no other position in the NFL that people reach for and miss than, especially in the first round, than quarterback, and that’s where the Vikings are sitting right now.”

Trade talk has already surfaced around McCarthy since the depth chart change became public. The Michigan product has said he prefers to remain with the Vikings and plans to make the most of his situation as a backup.

The franchise’s recent history at quarterback has been rocky. Developing a long-term starter has proven difficult for years, and the problem extends beyond any single coach. Head coach Kevin O’Connell has seen eight different quarterbacks take snaps since he arrived.

Kirk Cousins was the most prominent name, but others such as Josh Dobbs, Nick Mullens and Jaren Hall appeared during the 2023 season. Sam Darnold started in 2024 before departing for Seattle.

The current roster features Murray, McCarthy, Carson Wentz and Max Brosmer. Team officials hope Murray can deliver the steady play they have sought for so long.

McCarthy’s numbers last season reflected the struggles. Returning from a meniscus injury that wiped out his entire 2024 campaign, he finished with 1,630 passing yards, ranking last among qualifying quarterbacks. He threw 11 touchdowns against 12 interceptions and absorbed 27 sacks. Those touchdown totals ranked near the bottom of the league, and the interceptions sat even lower.

Advanced metrics painted a similar picture. Pro Football Focus graded McCarthy’s passing at 60.1, placing him 35th out of 45 qualified quarterbacks. The supporting cast offered little help. Vikings receivers and tight ends combined for 16 drops, matching their total of 16 touchdown catches.

Those drops often led directly to interceptions when the ball bounced into defenders’ hands.

Keeping McCarthy on the roster remains a tough sell for some observers, even if Carter’s financial argument holds weight. The quarterback has expressed affection for Minnesota and a desire to stay, yet continued growth could eventually make him appealing to other clubs seeking a project under center.

Carter has criticized McCarthy before, and some view his latest comments as another pointed assessment of the former first-round pick.

McCarthy continues to generate strong opinions among fans and analysts alike as the Vikings search for answers at the most important position on the field.