Side by side of Minnesota Vikings QB JJ McCarthy and former Minnesota Timberwolves guard, Rob Dillingham
Side by side of Minnesota Vikings QB JJ McCarthy and former Minnesota Timberwolves guard, Rob Dillingham
The Minnesota Vikings completed their second joint practice of the week against the Baltimore Ravens on Thursday, ahead of their week 2 preseason game on Saturday.
Throughout the week and into the weekend, all eyes remain on the Vikings’ QB situation, despite Kyler Murray having already won the quarterback battle. As the crowned starter, Minnesota’s new quarterback got his work in this week at joint practices and will not suit up this weekend.
JJ McCarthy got plenty of run out in Eagan the last couple days, as well, and Kevin O’Connell has publicly proclaimed McCarthy as the Vikings’ backup QB, ahead of veteran Carson Wentz… at least for now.
Kevin O’Connell made clear that J.J. MCCarthy is the Vikings’ No. 2 QB. But he said he wants the room to remain competitive and did not rule out further consideration.
— Kevin Seifert (@SeifertESPN) August 19, 2026
Unlike Murray, JJ McCarthy will play Saturday. In fact, KOC announced Thursday while speaking with reporters that the first pick of Minnesota’s 2024 draft is expected to get the start against Baltimore this weekend.
That means Saturday is yet another primetime opportunity for McCarthy to prove to his head coach that he is NOT the Vikings’ version of Rob Dillingham… you know, the No. 8 overall pick in the 2024 NBA Draft by the Minnesota Timberwolves?
JJ McCarthy trying to avoid becoming the next Rob Dillingham?
Where on God’s green earth did that comparison come from, you may be asking yourself? Well, Wolves head coach Chris Finch was on KFAN Radio this week with MN Vikings radio play-by-play voice, Paul Allen.
And that was was where Finch — who is friends with Vikings HC Kevin O’Connell — drew an extremely interesting parallel between JJ McCarthy’s situation with the Vikings, and that of former Timberwolf, Rob Dillingham.
His point, essentially, was this: Both guys were drafted into situations they were not ready or equipped for, especially mentally — which suppressed their growth and development as professionals.
PA: “In my opinion, your team and the one you watched Monday, the Vikings, you guys have had some similar off season traits. Uh and and I have some examples. Do do you see it that way, in any way?”
Finch: “I’ve never really thought about it, PA. So I’m interested to hear what you have to say. But I do know that they have had a lot of volatility at the quarterback position, which I think Kevin [O’Connell has] done a remarkable job, and their full staff has done a remarkable job of navigating that. We know how important that position is.
You know, we’ve had similar issues around the point guard, as Mike Conley, who was incredible for us, but he just got to the end of his run. So you know, I’ve seen some parallels there, you know, and what you expect of a young point guard.
Like, what we expected of Rob Dillingham was probably too much, and unfair — given where we were, given where he was at the time, and what we needed and what he needed. Maybe there’s some parallels there to JJ, as he continues to try and find himself. But you know, larger than that, I haven’t given it much thought.”
92Noon (KFAN Radio)
Does Chris Finch know [foot]ball…?
I know Chris Finch was caught off-guard by this question, but that makes his answer all the more intriguing.
The fact that the first place he went to, when asked for similarities between his team and the Minnesota Vikings was the struggles of JJ McCarthy and how they mirror those of Rob Dillingham, who the Timberwolves traded away because he couldn’t figure things out fast enough to earn playing time on a team ready to win now.
Tim Connelly on trading Rob Dillingham and Leonard Miller
“Robs a great kid with an unbelievable work ethic and is super talented. It’s at times having two agendas developing and try to win at the highest level. I have no doubt Rob is going to be great in Chicago… the best… pic.twitter.com/3tAHxUSmXE
— Andrew Dukowitz (@adukeMN) February 7, 2026
All this while rumors continue to swirl around TCO Performance Center over whether or not the Vikings will eventually be forced to deal their former first round draft pick for a fraction of what that pick was worth back then.
No matter which way you slice it, these are a heavy two weeks for JJ McCarthy. That’s how much time he has to keep his current slot on the depth chart. If he remains QB2 entering the regular season, he’s just one Kyler Murray injury or rough patch of play away from being back on the field.
Related: Tempers Boil Over at Vikings vs Ravens Joint Practices
If he fails, and is demoted even further down Minnesota’s QB hierarchy, Chris Finch may end up looking like a football prophet. Because it’s difficult to imagine a world where JJ McCarthy is perfectly happy entering the Vikings’ season as the QB3.
In which case, the MN Vikings would undoubtedly look to trade him.