Vikings have to decide what they are going to do at the backup QB position and J.J. McCarthy appears to be at risk
Minnesota Vikings quarterback J.J. McCarthy (9) is sacked by New York Giants defensive tackle Darius Alexander (91) during the first half at MetLife Stadium.
Mandatory Credit: Vincent Carchietta-Imagn Images
The Minnesota Vikings came to the conclusion very quickly that they had made a key error at this time last season. They had been convinced that untested quarterback J.J. McCarthy was the right man to line up under center and help the team win the NFC North title and advance deep into the playoffs.
The Vikings pulled out a win in their Week 1 Monday night game against the Chicago Bears. While McCarthy had led the team to a fourth quarter comeback that helped secure a road victory, there were some problems that cropped up through the first three quarters that shook Vikings head coach Kevin O'Connell and the rest of the coaching staff.
Despite their belief in McCarthy, the Vikings saw their quarterback miss open receivers at multiple points in the game. When Justin Jefferson is open in the secondary, getting the ball to him means there is a chance to score. McCarthy missed him and both the receiver and his coaches looked perplexed.
This was an issue that would repeated at multiple points during the season. McCarthy had a few moments, but the lack of accuracy was not something that he was able to overcome. He also had a series of nagging injuries, and this was all on top of his empty 2024 season that was ruined by a torn meniscus in his first preseason game.
The Vikings did not have a quarterback they could turn to if McCarthy was not up to the hype.
That is not the case a year later. The Vikings acquired Kyler Murray from the Cardinals early in the offseason and the stated plan was that McCarthy would have to compete with Murray for the starting job in training camp.
McCarthy was fighting from behind, and he is now at risk
Minnesota Vikings head coach Kevin O'Connell looks on in the second quarter against the Detroit Lions at U.S. Bank Stadium.
Mandatory Credit: Matt Krohn-Imagn Images
That may not have been the case. The decision on Murray becoming the team's starter was made before the first preseason game.
If O'Connell and new Vikings general manager Nolan Teasley had truly wanted an open competition, no announcement would have been made until the team had played two preseason games. That was not about to happen. O'Connell did not want to risk injuries to either man, and he was impressed with Murray's track record and spectacular athleticism.
McCarthy may have been drafted because of his potential and intangibles — he led Michigan to a college national championship — but a lack of accuracy was going to be his underlying issue.
So, with one preseason game to play before the Vikings finalize their roster and start preparing for the first game of the regular season against the Green Bay Packers, the Vikings have to figure out what to do with McCarthy.
The Vikings have a starter in Murray and they have a veteran backup in Carson Wentz. He joined the Vikings in the middle of last season and now has the full understanding of the team's offensive game plan. If he had to play because of injury, O'Connell has confidence that Wentz could do a competent job.
McCarthy's status is something of a mystery. He is technically listed as the No. 2 quarterback on the depth chart, but Wentz has done a better job during the preseason than McCarthy.
It doesn't seem that McCarthy has a real future with the Vikings. It may not have been fair to give the starting position to Murray before either one had played a preseason game, but that's where Minnesota is at right now.
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Ideal move would be a trade shortly after roster cut down
All NFL teams must cut their rosters down to 53 players by Sunday at 6 p.m. ET. However, that does not mean moves won't be made before the first week of the season.
Teams may find themselves in need of a young backup quarterback with a starter's potential after rosters are pared, and Teasley may be getting calls inquiring about McCarthy. That would be the ideal scenario for Minnesota.
The Vikings made McCarthy the No. 10 overall pick in the 2024 NFL Draft. That class was heavy in top QB prospects with Chicago's Caleb Williams and New England's Drake Maye at the head of the class. The Vikings shouted that McCarthy was as good as the top QBs in the class, but they may not have believed it.
They now understand that they overestimated his value. If the Vikings can trade McCarthy and get a second- or third-round selection, it would be an acceptable conclusion at this point.
If McCarthy is going to build some kind of trade value, a strong showing in the team's final preseason game against the Denver Broncos would be advisable.
McCarthy took several hits against the Baltimore Ravens in last week's preseason game, but he is likely to play at least one full quarter against the Broncos and possibly more.
If he has a strong showing, the Vikings could get a legitimate trade offer for him and possibly move him. If not, they could possibly hold onto him with the hope that a trade offer will come before the Nov. 10 NFL trade deadline.
They could also decide to send him packing, but that would be admitting to a punishing mistake — and that's a very unpleasant scenario.
Steve Silverman has been covering the NFL for more than 35 years, and his writing has appeared in ESPN Magazine, Bleacher Report, CBS Sports, Pro Football Weekly, and Forbes.com. He has written 10 books, including "Who's Better, Who's Best in the NFL."