As a result of J.J. McCarthy‘s level of play and injury history, the Vikings must necessarily adjust the approach at quarterback.
The 2026 offseason will involve a Vikings team that continues to rally around Mr. McCarthy. His play improved throughout the season, elevating to the point where he could become a positive part of winning games (Lions, Commanders, Giants, and so on). But while that’s a nice development, the key difference throughout 2026 is going to be that there can no longer be the assumption of McCarthy being the starter. Instead, he’ll need to fully earn the job while defeating direct competition.
The Shift Occurring for The Vikings & J.J. McCarthy
Looking back, the Vikings fumbled the ball when the franchise opted against bringing in meaningful competition for J.J. McCarthy.
In fairness, there were some efforts. Daniel Jones stands out as a particularly notable example. The former Giant and current Colt was a team employee and had been offered a contract to remain (as the common understanding goes). The athletic passer opted for Indianapolis. So, too, did Sam Darnold take off, leaving Minnesota with McCarthy alongside Brett Rypien, someone who was never a serious option to challenge for on-field work.
Only Sam Howell and Max Brosmer got added to further enhance the QB spot, neither of whom ever came close to being the starter.
Also noteworthy was the public flirtation with Aaron Rodgers.
The issue with signing Rodgers — apart from the weekly headache that is listening to him speak at his press conference — is that he would be signed to be the starter. Rodgers wouldn’t come to the Twin Cities to take a seat on the bench. So, handing over a contract to Rodgers would mean committing to dropping down McCarthy to QB2 in March or April, something the team wasn’t ready to do (very reasonably).
Whoever gets added in 2026 needs to fulfill a pair of requirements. Rodgers could start but couldn’t be a backup. The new signing for the Vikings needs to be capable of starting but accepting of being a backup.
Banking on a full seventeen games out of McCarthy appears to be a tough ask given that the kid has missed seventeen games in 2024 (knee injury) before then missing seven games in 2025 (ankle sprain, concussion, and hand injury). Proving capable of jumping into action — and, crucially, playing competently once there — is vital.
But then there’s what the Vikings actually want: someone who can hold McCarthy’s feet to the fire. Show up and crush it on the practice field. Compete like crazy to push the kid higher. Offer direct competition for the top spot, creating internal tension that flexes McCarthy into a better version of himself.
Again, the obvious: the Vikings still want the No. 10 pick from the 2024 NFL Draft to be the starter. That desire remains untouched even as 2025 has clarified that there can no longer be the assumption that McCarthy is ready for the job.
The Vikings finished the most recent season with a humdrum 9-8 record. Considering the complete record leaves one with the impression that Minnesota was at least competent, but note that the year ended with five-straight victories.
Sitting at 4-8 left a very different impression of the Vikings. Even Finishing at 8-9 or 7-10 would have resulted in a very different impression of this team. The central reason why things were going so poorly was the play at quarterback.
J.J. McCarthy went 6-4 as a starter. He completed 57.6% of his passes while getting to 1,632 yards, 11 touchdowns, and 12 interceptions. Without question, the Vikings need better production from the QB1 spot to compete in 2026.
Introducing meaningful competition for the entirety of the offseason appears to be precisely what’s needed.
I’m the Senior Editor for Vikings Territory & PurplePTSD . Twitter & Bluesky: @VikingsGazette. Email: k.joudry[at]purpleptsd[dot]com. Canadian. Jude 1:24-25.
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