J.J. McCarthy's Vikings Outlook Updated in New NFL Rumors amid Uncertainty Around QB's Future

It appeared as if the Minnesota Vikings made J.J. McCarthy their franchise quarterback of the future when they selected him 10th overall in the 2024 NFL draft.

But they reportedly did not even have him in the top tier of prospects at the position that year.

ESPN's Kevin Seifert reported the Vikings broke the 2024 quarterback class into two tiers with Caleb Williams, Jayden Daniels and Drake Maye in the top tier ahead of McCarthy, Michael Penix Jr. and Bo Nix in a second tier that "would need a more fulsome team around them to succeed."

With McCarthy in particular, "the Vikings thought he might need multiple years before it was time to play him."

Notably, Seifert reported head coach Kevin O'Connell "pushed hard" for the Vikings to trade up to No. 3 to take Maye but was turned down by the New England Patriots.

Seifert added that "despite recent speculation that O'Connell opposed drafting McCarthy with a trade up to No. 10, multiple sources said he supported it alongside a development plan that included credible veteran options in 2024 (Darnold) and perhaps beyond. They thought McCarthy, because of his age and perceived room for growth, could eventually be a difference-maker."

It's safe to say things have not gone according to that plan even if it has been just two years.

McCarthy missed his rookie season with injury before he was thrown into the starting role in 2025. He responded by completing 57.6 percent of his passes for 1,632 yards, 11 touchdowns and 12 interceptions.

He finished 30th in the league in QBR, per Pro Football Reference , which placed him behind the likes of Spencer Rattler, Jacoby Brissett and many others.

Rather than being in position to make a third-year leap, the Vikings added Kyler Murray this offseason and demoted McCarthy to third on the depth chart. When Murray suffered an injury in Week 1 against the Green Bay Packers, it was veteran Carson Wentz who took his place.

Seifert noted O'Connell described McCarthy as "a guy that we want to pour into every day" with general manager Nolan Teasley saying his story is "not written."

But it doesn't seem like he has a bright future at this stage of his career.