J.J. McCarthy

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J.J. McCarthy: J.J. McCarthy Facing Offseason Quarterback Competition

After what was essentially a redshirt rookie season, Minnesota Vikings quarterback J.J. McCarthy struggled through his first year in a starting role in 2025, dealing with injuries and inefficiencies that kept him out of seven games. With the Vikings officially agreeing to a one-year deal with Kyler Murray on Thursday, McCarthy now faces legitimate competition for the starting job. Both first-round picks in their respective draft classes, with Murray going first overall in 2019, an upside case can be made for either player, though consistency has proven to be more of an issue for both. Head coach Kevin O'Connell has long been praised for elevating his quarterbacks, and with a solid supporting cast and playoff aspirations, he now has nearly six months to pull a starter out of the highly flawed but arguably most talented room he's ever coached.

Mar. 13, 2026 5:26 AM EST

Who Should You Start?

Should I start J.J. McCarthy?

Start Patrick Mahomes or J.J. McCarthy?

Start J.J. McCarthy or Bo Nix?

Start Trevor Lawrence or J.J. McCarthy?

Start Michael Penix Jr. or J.J. McCarthy?

Start Justin Herbert or J.J. McCarthy?

Start Jalen Hurts or J.J. McCarthy?

Start Sam Darnold or J.J. McCarthy?

Start J.J. McCarthy or Drake Maye?

Start Geno Smith or J.J. McCarthy?

Who Should You Draft?

Draft Travis Etienne Jr. or J.J. McCarthy?

Draft Jordan Mason or J.J. McCarthy?

Draft Philadelphia Defense or J.J. McCarthy?

Draft J.J. McCarthy or Drake Maye?

Draft Justin Herbert or J.J. McCarthy?

Draft J.J. McCarthy or Jacory Croskey-Merritt?

Draft Justin Fields or J.J. McCarthy?

Draft Pittsburgh Defense or J.J. McCarthy?

Draft Jayden Reed or J.J. McCarthy?

Draft Wan'Dale Robinson or J.J. McCarthy?