J.J. McCarthy is losing his grip on the Vikings' starting job, and it might be gone for good.
Last week, Minnesota signed Kyler Murray to a one-year, $1.3 million deal. It was an easy move for the Vikings because the Arizona Cardinals are still paying Murray $36.8 million in guarantees.
Head coach Kevin O'Connell had already hinted in January that the franchise wanted a real challenger for McCarthy, whose first two NFL seasons have been a struggle.
After missing his entire 2024 rookie year with a knee injury, McCarthy played only 10 games in 2025 due to more health issues. When he did play, he wasn't effective. He completed just 57.6% of his passes, threw more interceptions (12) than touchdowns (11), and finished with one of the worst QBRs in the league.
Now, NFL Network insider Ian Rapoport dropped the second bad news for McCarthy on Thursday, penning, "The #Vikings are adding QB depth, signing Carson Wentz to a 1-year deal, per The Insiders."
The #Vikings are adding QB depth, signing Carson Wentz to a 1-year deal, per The Insiders.
Despite significant injury last year, Wentz started five games and kept the team alive. Now, back with JJ McCarthy and Kyler Murray. pic.twitter.com/AHEOZf4xQs
— Ian Rapoport (@RapSheet) March 19, 2026
Last season, Wentz started five games for the Vikings, throwing for 1,216 yards with six touchdowns and five interceptions before a shoulder injury ended his year.
Since he already knows the system, he's a reliable backup while Murray learns the playbook and McCarthy tries to save his job. Murray's signing was a blow to McCarthy, and Wentz will increase competition for him
Coach O'Connell, however, isn't naming a starter yet, telling reporters, "Unless I'm confused in any way, shape or form, I don't believe we have to name one of those currently."
But his actions say more than his words. According to Albert Breer of Sports Illustrated, O'Connell told Murray the team views him as a potential long-term solution, not just a one-year "Band-Aid".
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