Two years ago, the Minnesota Vikings spent the No. 10 overall pick on J.J. McCarthy. Now, one of the reporters who covers them every day does not believe he will even be on their initial 53-man roster.
NFL Fans Stunned by J.J. McCarthy Projection
The Athletic’s Alec Lewis projected McCarthy will be left off Minnesota’s roster as Sunday’s cutdown deadline approaches. He had Carson Wentz as the QB2 behind Kyle Murray, and wrote, “McCarthy’s comfort (or lack thereof) with being QB3 could dictate his future in Minnesota.”
The possibility of a former top-10 pick getting cut or traded by the team after only two NFL seasons produced exactly the reaction one would expect.
“Genuinely one of the worst quarterback busts ever if this is true. Like he’s on or at the top of the shortlist,” A user wrote on X.
Genuinely one of the worst quarterback busts ever if this is true. Like he’s on or at the top of the shortlist. https://t.co/A7ARj5SXRa
— Pranav Sriraman (@PranavSriraman) August 29, 2026
Barstool’s Brandon Walker delivered his reaction with considerably more sarcasm: “Oh my God who could’ve seen this coming?”
Oh my God who could’ve seen this coming? https://t.co/8QMDvb1gJr
— Brandon Walker (@BFW) August 29, 2026
Detroit fans were already considering the possibilities. Honolulu Blues wrote, “If he’s cut I don’t see why Detroit shouldn’t give him a call.”
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Not everyone could believe Minnesota might actually move on. SCOUTD wrote, “I am not a J.J. McCarthy fan however, this would entirely shock me.”
Max Loeb had another destination in mind, pointing directly toward McCarthy’s former Michigan coach. “Jim Harbaugh gotta be pounding the table to bring McCarthy in for a 7th rounder,” Loeb wrote in his response.
Jim Harbaugh gotta be pounding the table to bring McCarthy in for a 7th rounder https://t.co/7w0ESzeWqw
— Max Loeb (@loebsleads) August 29, 2026
Another fan added, “Could maybe a fresh start help him? Or is he just buns?”
— Onyx Odds (@OnyxOdds) August 29, 2026
One fan shared why the Vikings might part ways with McCarthy: “Not mentally mature enough to be a backup without distracting everyone.”
Why McCarthy’s Vikings Future Is Suddenly in Doubt
Lewis’ projection is not a report that Minnesota has decided to release McCarthy. There are also other ways this can end, including a trade. Many analysts have recently argued that outright cutting him is unlikely, but have identified the quarterback as a logical trade candidate.
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McCarthy has nevertheless given Minnesota plenty to weigh. Murray beat him for the starting job earlier this month, while Wentz started Friday’s preseason finale against Denver after McCarthy’s ankle injury kept him out. The injury is considered minor, but it cost him his final opportunity to make a case on the field.
The 2025 season did not strengthen his position. McCarthy completed 57.6% of his passes for 1,632 yards, 11 touchdowns, and 12 interceptions across 10 games. His 67.0 PFN QB Impact grade ranked 34th among 38 qualifying quarterbacks.
Minnesota has until Sunday evening to settle the question. Until then, Lewis’ prediction remains exactly that, a projection rather than a transaction.
For a quarterback drafted to become the franchise’s future, however, simply reaching cutdown weekend with his roster spot being debated represents a remarkable fall.
