J.J. McCarthy, Minnesota Vikings
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(Photo by Stephen Maturen/Getty Images)
The Minnesota Vikings are heading into 2026 with a QB room of Kyler Murray, Carson Wentz, and J.J. McCarthy.
All three of these gentlemen were taken inside of the top 10 in their respective drafts.
Kyler Murray – 1st Overall in 2019
Carson Wentz – 2nd overall in 2016
J.J. McCarthy – 10th Overall in 2024
If draft position meant anything in the NFL as far as playing the game goes, the Vikings would have the best QB room in the league.
Sadly, it doesn’t mean anything. Sure, it means you’re more likely to be good and the expectations are much higher. However, it’s not gonna make you a top QB in the game in itself.
Despite the elite draft pedigree of the Vikings QB room, they’ve been labeled as one of the worst QB situations in the NFL.
Vikings Named One of the ‘Worst QB Situations’ in NFL in 2026
Kevin O'Connell head coach Minnesota Vikings
GettyMINNEAPOLIS, MINNESOTA – JANUARY 04: Head coach Kevin O’Connell of the Minnesota Vikings looks on prior to a game against the Green Bay Packers at U.S. Bank Stadium on January 04, 2026 in Minneapolis, Minnesota. (Photo by Stephen Maturen/Getty Images)
Bleacher Report had the take that came out of a flamethrower. They made their case as to why it’s the 6th-worst in the NFL per their list.
“In practically every way you can measure a quarterback, J.J. McCarthy was the least qualified passer in the NFL during his sophomore campaign. Now they’ve added Kyler Murray, who missed significant action in three of his last four seasons in Arizona and has a 90.3 passer rating since 2022.”
These claims are technically factual. However, it ignores the high-ceiling that likely-starting Kyler Murray is providing you.
They did provide a bit of a lifeline to the team regarding their take.
“As with Atlanta, you’re looking at two highly drafted guys in their 20s working with strong weapons and a stellar offensive line. And if it’s a crapshoot, at least they get two rolls of the dice. They’re also both cheap.”
They finish by saying that it’s difficult to see either Murray or McCarthy as viable long-term starting options. McCarthy did show improvement at the end of last year, and Murray has played at an MVP-level at times in his career. Only time will tell.
Minnesota ‘Could’ Trade J.J. McCarthy Amid Murray Signing
J.J. McCarthy, Minnesota Vikings
GettyJ.J. McCarthy #9 of the Minnesota Vikings looks to pass against the New York Giants in the first quarter of a game at MetLife Stadium on December 21, 2025 in East Rutherford, New Jersey. (Photo by Elsa/Getty Images)
Bleacher Report posted a piece detailing 8 NFL stars who could actually be traded this offseason and why. Naturally, McCarthy was on that list.
They gave their take as to why a trade could materialize at some point.
“This is a trade that likely would not materialize until later in the summer, once the Vikings have a fuller evaluation of their quarterback room and acknowledge that, despite his flaws, Murray is currently the more proven NFL option than McCarthy.
The point is coming where Minnesota will have two choices: hand McCarthy a clipboard or trade the third-year pro while he still has some value.”
As of now, there’s been no indication (other than the Murray signing) that the Vikings want to move off of McCarthy. At only 23 years old, there is still a hope that he develops into being the team’s QB of the future.
Whether or not that happens may be more up to Kyler Murray than McCarthy himself. Murray is already the assumed winner of an alleged QB competition that is months away from beginning. There’s no question that McCarthy may be on the outside looking in at his future with the Vikings.