It’s unclear what exactly the future holds in Minnesota for Vikings quarterback J.J. McCarthy. After the team’s decision to sign seven-year veteran Kyler Murray to a one-year deal last week, McCarthy’s status is in limbo.
Murray’s arrival may be foreshadowing McCarthy’s departure, which would be a ghastly admission that the previous regime, led by former general manager Kwesi Adofo-Mensah, drastically missed on the No. 10 overall pick.
Why J.J. McCarthy’s Days With the Minnesota Vikings Appear to Be Numbered
If nothing else, the Vikings are going to have options under center this season, which isn’t a luxury they were able to afford in 2025. McCarthy started just 10 games while battling ankle, head, and hand injuries, forcing head coach Kevin O’Connell to cycle through the likes of Carson Wentz and Max Brosmer to keep the ship afloat.
Even when McCarthy was healthy and on the field, however, he completed just south of 58% of his passes for 11 touchdowns and 12 interceptions. He didn’t exactly instill optimism into the organization that he could be the face of the franchise.
Former NFL quarterback and current analyst Chase Daniel was blunt in his assessment that the Vikings didn’t sign Murray to be a backup to McCarthy.
“I think J.J. McCarthy’s days with the Vikings are done,” he said. “You don’t sign there to be a backup. J.J.’s done there. Here’s my thing on the whole K.O.C and Kyler situation: the second Kyler signed with K.O.C, in my opinion, J.J.’s done there. They’re not giving J.J. a chance to win it. It would surprise me, very much so.”
JJ McCarthy’s window with Vikings feels much smaller than people think….The Kyler Murray move + keeping Carson Wentz isn’t accidental.
Wouldn’t surprise me if they start doing serious homework on Ty Simpson. There’s a lot there that fits what KOC wants to do. pic.twitter.com/CyfnmnJdYE
— Chase Daniel (@ChaseDaniel) March 20, 2026
McCarthy essentially redshirted the entirety of his rookie season due to a torn meniscus in his right knee. The Vikings deployed Sam Darnold in his place, and he led the team to a 14-3 regular-season record and a playoff berth before leaving in free agency to sign with the Seattle Seahawks. While Darnold and the Seahawks enjoyed a Super Bowl campaign, the Vikings limped through the year with McCarthy, Wentz, and Brosmer.
The hope is that Murray, a former No. 1 overall pick, can pair well with O’Connell and drag the Vikings out of quarterback purgatory, even if for a moment. Murray is still 28 years old, and reclamation projects at quarterback appear to be the trend around the league right now.
Murray’s stint in Minnesota could just be a one-year fling, which is why Daniel believes the Vikings should be looking into drafting Alabama quarterback Ty Simpson. They currently hold the No. 18 overall pick in the first round, and that’s roughly where Simpson has been projected to be selected, so it isn’t out of the realm of possibility.
“I think J.J. McCarthy’s days with the Vikings are done; that’s why I think you have to entertain Ty Simpson,” Daniel said. “You’re not sure what Kyler’s going to do. It’s a one-year deal, $1.3 million dollars. If Ty can go to K.O.C, there are a lot of things that can happen. With that offense? Come on, man.”
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McCarthy finished the year ranked No. 37 out of 44 quarterbacks in PFSN’s QB Impact metric with a grade of 64.5. Murray, meanwhile, ranked No. 21 with a grade of 75.3. He sustained a foot injury early in the year and was limited to playing in a career-low 5 games.
Even when Murray was healthy enough to return in December, the Cardinals shut him down for the remainder of the season in favor of Jacoby Brissett. He’s played in 8 or fewer games in two of the last three years.
