The immediate future of Minnesota Vikings quarterback J.J. McCarthy has been a subject of much debate over the past couple of weeks.
Some aren't sold on J.J. being the starter in 2026, while others think a veteran quarterback has to come in and push the young quarterback.
But some people think the Vikings have to go in a different direction at quarterback, with McCarthy taking a back seat.
That isn't ideal for a young player who needs live NFL reps.
And for Sports Illustrated's Gilberto Manzano, in his piece that sees one free agent each team needs to sign, when it comes to the Vikings, he's named Kyler Murray.
"Vikings coach Kevin O’Connell still has a reputation for being a quarterback guru despite the minimal production he got from J.J. McCarthy last season," Manzano writes. "Also, O’Connell has Justin Jefferson to lure quarterbacks such as Murray to sign with the Vikings at a bargain rate. Murray can get his career back on track by beating out McCarthy for the job and throwing passes to an elite wide receiver."
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What does McCarthy's future hold?
Well, the Vikings won't likely move off of him, and as it pertains to him starting in 2026, that is anything but a guarantee.
If someone like Kyler Murray or Kirk Cousins is signed, it likely means that McCarthy will have to settle for a year of backup duties as he learns behind a veteran quarterback.
That doesn't mean his time as a starter in the league is over, moreso it is being paused, because let's not forget, 2025 was his first year as a starter. So, there is plenty of room to grow.
The downside is that the Vikings, for some, are built to win now, but having McCarthy as the quarterback likely means they won't be seriously challenging in 2026.
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