J.J. McCarthy

Minnesota Vikings
Quarterback #9

Personal

Age	23
Birthdate	January 20, 2003
Height	6'3"
Weight	219 lb

Draft

College	Michigan
Year	2024
Pick	Round: 1, Overall: 10
Team	MIN

Fantasy Value

Week 1 Projections
Passing Yards	Touchdowns	Interceptions
0.0	0.0	0.0

You can see where those projections compare to other QBs in our Quarterback Rankings.

Player News

J.J. McCarthy: J.J. McCarthy Demoted to Third-String Role

Minnesota Vikings head coach Kevin O'Connell told reporters on Wednesday that veteran quarterback Carson Wentz is the backup to starter Kyler Murray and that J.J. McCarthy is the third-stringer to open the 2026 season, according to Ian Rapoport of the NFL Network. It will be a week-to-week evaluation. "This gives us the best chance to win," O'Connell said. The writing was on the wall for the 23-year-old former first-rounder from Michigan when the Vikings signed Murray to a one-year deal this offseason in free agency. McCarthy lost out in the training camp QB battle to Murray, and after struggling in the preseason and getting banged up, he will enter his third year in the NFL as the team's QB3. In his first full season as the Vikings' starter in 2025, McCarthy only played in 10 games due to various injuries and struggled with his accuracy, completing 140 of his 243 pass attempts for 1,632 yards, 11 touchdowns, and 12 interceptions. McCarthy's best path back to fantasy relevance in dynasty/keeper leagues might be a trade out of Minnesota at this point.

Sep. 9, 2026 10:51 AM EST