J.J. McCarthy’s future in Minnesota has become a major question for the Vikings. The former first-round pick returned from injury, hoping to establish himself, but his position with the franchise has become far less secure than expected.
With Minnesota reshaping its quarterback room, one radio host has offered a harsh prediction about where McCarthy’s career could be headed.
Brad Evans Delivers Blunt Verdict as J.J. McCarthy’s Vikings Future Remains Uncertain
Brad Evans made his case during an appearance on BetMGM Tonight, where he compared McCarthy with former first-round quarterback Josh Rosen. Evans argued that McCarthy could join the list of highly drafted quarterbacks whose NFL careers failed to match their draft status.
“J.J. McCarthy, right now, is on a path to being one of the ultimate busts, not only in recent memory, but all time, in NFL quarterback history,” Evans said. “He’s a modern-day Josh Rosen.”
Evans’ criticism centers partly on McCarthy’s role at Michigan. He argued that Jim Harbaugh’s offense did not require the quarterback to consistently carry the passing game, with Blake Corum and a strong defense playing major roles during the Wolverines’ national championship run.
“Being a glorified game manager with the University of Michigan,” Evans said, while mentioning that McCarthy operated in an offense that leaned heavily on Corum and its defense. Evans believes that the setup helped hide weaknesses that have become harder to overlook in the NFL.
𝑻𝑯𝑬 𝑫𝑶𝑾𝑵𝑭𝑨𝑳𝑳 𝑶𝑭 𝑴𝑪𝑪𝑨𝑹𝑻𝑯𝒀 ⬇️@NoisyHuevos says J.J. McCarthy needs a change because he is on the road to being one of the biggest quarterback busts in NFL history! pic.twitter.com/gysMpz2RGr
— BetMGM Tonight (@BetMGMTonight) August 29, 2026
The criticism comes as McCarthy’s standing in Minnesota continues to change. He missed his rookie season after suffering a torn meniscus, then played 10 games in 2025 while throwing 11 touchdowns and 12 interceptions.
Vikings coach Kevin O’Connell has since named Kyler Murray the starter, with McCarthy and Carson Wentz currently fighting for the backup role.
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That quarterback hierarchy has fueled speculation that Minnesota could move McCarthy before roster cuts. His four-year, $21.85 million rookie contract is fully guaranteed, making a trade more appealing financially than releasing him.
Evans also offered a potential landing spot if Minnesota moves on from McCarthy. He believes a reunion with Harbaugh could give the quarterback another chance to develop, this time behind Justin Herbert with the Los Angeles Chargers.
“The best-case scenario for him would be to get shown the door,” Evans said. “… I can see him winding up re-teaming with Jim Harbaugh in the City of Angels, operating behind Justin Herbert.”
Evans later added, “He needs a change of venue. He needs a change of scenery,” while reiterating his belief that McCarthy is heading toward becoming a major draft bust.
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Meanwhile, ESPN and NFL Network’s senior manager of research, Jack Andrade, shared a striking X post highlighting a “Career Similarities” chart between Rosen and McCarthy. The satirical chart outlines uncanny similarities between the two players, pointing out that both prospects were drafted 10th overall in their respective classes.
Right now, for Minnesota, the decision involves both football and finances. The Vikings must weigh McCarthy’s uncertain value against the cost of keeping him and check if any interested team potentially bets on the upside that made him a top-10 pick in 2024.
