Vikings make eye-opening backup QB practice decision

J.J. McCarthy’s fall down the Minnesota Vikings’ quarterback depth chart may not be over yet.

ESPN’s Kevin Seifert reported that McCarthy and veteran Carson Wentz split second-team reps during a relatively brief 80-minute Vikings practice. One practice does not determine Minnesota’s backup quarterback, but the distribution of reps is an interesting development for McCarthy.

The former Michigan star entered the NFL as a first-round pick with hopes of becoming Minnesota’s long-term answer at quarterback. Two years later, his career appears to be trending in the wrong direction.

McCarthy has already lost the starting job to Kyler Murray. Now, instead of receiving the majority of the second-team work, he is sharing those opportunities with Wentz.

This does not necessarily mean Wentz has officially passed McCarthy on the depth chart. Minnesota could simply be evaluating both quarterbacks or helping Wentz become more comfortable in the offense. It would be unfair to draw a firm conclusion from one abbreviated practice in August.

Still, the Vikings’ decision is worth monitoring. If McCarthy were firmly established as Murray’s primary backup, there would seemingly be little reason to divide the second-team work evenly. Giving Wentz those snaps suggests the veteran has at least entered the competition for the No. 2 role. McCarthy does have an undisclosed injury from last week’s preseason game, where he did not play well.

Wentz’s experience could give him an advantage if the Vikings need someone to replace Murray during the regular season. He has started 94 NFL games and would likely be viewed as the safer short-term option if Minnesota believes it can contend immediately.

McCarthy still has time to change the conversation, but his margin for error is shrinking. Losing the QB1 job was already a major setback. Falling behind Wentz would leave the former first-round pick entering the season as Minnesota’s third quarterback.

One practice is not enough to declare that competition over. It may, however, be the first real sign that McCarthy’s place on the depth chart is less secure than expected.