NFL Insider Believes Kevin O’Connell Has Something in Store for J.J. McCarthy

When the Minnesota Vikings set the initial 53-man roster, many were taken aback by the fact that they kept four quarterbacks on the team. J.J. McCarthy 's place on the roster had come into question, as did Max Brosmer's.

Yet, since Brosmer, an undrafted free agent from 2025, has been let go, some are wondering if his departure could impact McCarthy's spot in Minnesota too. Now an NFL insider is sharing his intel.

Albert Breer Says Kevin O'Connell Isn't Done With J.J. McCarthy

Still just 23 years old, now the question turns to McCarthy's future in Minnesota. Head coach Kevin O'Connell hasn't named who will be Kyler Murray 's backup. But the belief is that job will go to Carson Wentz rather than McCarthy.

Still, just because KOC may or may not have more trust in Wentz leading a high-powered passing attack than the inexperienced McCarthy, it doesn't mean the Vikings don't still believe in the kid.

In fact, Sports Illustrated's NFL insider Albert Breer reported on Monday night that he "gets the sense" that coach O'Connell isn't done with McCarthy.

"I have gotten the sense, for what it's worth, that Vikings coach Kevin O'Connell wants to keep working with J.J. McCarthy."

That makes sense. After all, O'Connell was part of the decision to trade up and make McCarthy the 10th overall pick in the 2024 NFL Draft, and the Vikings have only seen him play 10 times.

That's just not enough to evaluate a young QB prospect, especially one selected in the first round. If anyone knows that, it's O'Connell, who has taken on a few former first-round reclamation projects himself.

With McCarthy still under contract through the 2027 season, it just doesn't quite make sense to throw in the towel right now. But that doesn't mean the Vikings won't evaluate their options.