J.J. McCarthy quarterback Minnesota Vikings
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MINNEAPOLIS, MINNESOTA - JANUARY 04: J.J. McCarthy #9 of the Minnesota Vikings reacts during the first quarter against the Green Bay Packers at U.S. Bank Stadium on January 04, 2026 in Minneapolis, Minnesota. (Photo by Stephen Maturen/Getty Images)
The conflicting reports about Minnesota Vikings quarterback J.J. McCarthy’s viability heading into next season are seemingly endless.
Some reporters are claiming that the Vikings are looking to move on, whilst others believe head coach Kevin O’Connell and interim general manager Rob Brzezinski just want a solid veteran backup for the former 10th overall pick.
However, the most decisive words to date came from ESPN’s NFL insider Jeremy Fowler, who claimed on the Dan Patrick Show that McCarthy’s time is “probably over” as Minnesota’s QB1.
Dan Patrick Show
“It’s kind of like when you get broken up with, or somebody starts seeing other people – when they do that, it’s kind of clear it’s probably over.”
– @JFowlerESPN on J.J. McCarthy and the #Vikings.
Vikings Seemingly Close to Finished with J.J. McCarthy
Fowler suggests that the team is most likely to bring in one of Arizona Cardinals quarterback Kyler Murray, or Las Vegas Raiders QB Geno Smith – both of whom have been widely tipped as cut candidates next month.
“Minnesota I know is considering Kyler Murray. He’s one of their stronger considerations I would say, along with Geno Smith. That’s probably tier one for them. Maybe they look into the Derek Carr…Tua [Tagovailoa] would be more of a backup/second tier option for them.” Fowler said on the Dan Patrick Show on Monday.
Although Fowler does not believe that the team will take such drastic measures as to release McCarthy with at least two years remaining on his rookie deal, he believes the team has already commenced steps to metaphorically ‘break up’ with the Michigan alum.
“I would be surprised if he [J.J. McCarthy] gets cut. It’s a similar situation to Anthony Richardson last year. I think In a perfect world they would like to bring somebody on – like if you bring on Geno Smith let’s say; why I think he’s interesting for Minnesota is because he’s had enough struggles where if you bring him in and sell him as a competitor to JJ you can kind of sell it.” Fowler continued.
“But you can also sell it as ‘ye he’s probably the starter’, so you’re hedging both ways. And you can keep it alive with J.J. a little bit and maybe he surprises you in camp. But we’ve all been there Dan, it’s kind of like when you get broken up with, or somebody starts seeing other people – when they do that, it’s kind of clear it’s probably over, so there’s that element to the J.J. McCarthy situation as well.”
What is Next For McCarthy in the NFL?
Fowler’s comparison of McCarthy’s situation to that of Indianapolis Colts quarterback Anthony Richardson will hardly be reassuring for the young Viking, given Richardson was ultimately supplanted by his competition, Daniel Jones, who is likely to receive a long-term extension this offseason.
The good news for the former National Champion is that his play did improve over the last few games of the season, and that both Smith and Murray are capable but flawed quarterbacks in their own ways, so even if one of them does join the team McCarthy will still be able to win that battle and “surprise” the organization, as Fowler notes.
But all in all this does not bode well for J.J, who could be set to replaced as the Vikings starting signal caller after just 10 professional starts.