Mixed reviews surround McCarthy's Vikings tenure. Will Year 3 bring a starting role or sideline observation amid quarterback competition? The analyst weighs in.
We are entering a third year of the J.J. McCarthy project at quarterback for the Minnesota Vikings. It's receiving mixed reviews to say the least.
Some are speaking up for McCarthy and his 2025 film of late and stating the quarterback was not all that bad last season. Nevertheless, it's hard to ignore what the stats, the Vikings' rare offensive struggles and, perhaps most notably, what our eyes told us about the quarterback last year. It wasn't pretty.
With that, many are looking ahead to a third season of McCarthy in Minnesota. Whether or not that third season begins with the signal caller leading the first-string offense onto the field in Week 1 is still to be seen.
Evan Massey of Newsweek is discussing what to anticipate with McCarthy in 2026. He wrote the following preview to the quarterback's season.
"Heading into the 2026 NFL offseason, the Minnesota Vikings are facing a major question at the quarterback position following J.J. McCarthy's debut season as their starter.
After missing his entire rookie season due to a knee injury, the Vikings decided to hand over the keys of the franchise to him in year two. McCarthy dealt with multiple injury issues throughout the 2025 season and didn't play consistent football when he was on the field.
Rumors have started swirling that Minnesota will bring in quarterback competition for him this offseason. Whether the Vikings are open to the idea of replacing McCarthy past the 2026 season remains to be seen, but they're clearly alright with the idea of him sitting some next year."
Minnesota Vikings quarterback J.J. McCarthy (9) warms up before a game against the Chicago Bears at U.S. Bank Stadium. Jeffrey Becker-Imagn ImagesJ.J. McCarthy supporters are convinced that the quarterback was not the problem, or at least that he's not a lost cause after a first season as the starting quarterback. But McCarthy was a negative contributing factor in 2025. That much is difficult to argue against after several years of good quarterback play and efficient offense in Minnesota.
You can't throw more interceptions than touchdowns and expect favorable reception. 11 touchdowns and 12 interceptions simply isn't cutting it. Failing to go for more than 200 yards more often than not falls below standard as well. But McCarthy's story is not yet written.
There's plenty of time to prove McCarthy is the guy to lead Minnesota back to the Super Bowl, but perhaps that might be more likely with a season of learning from a veteran quarterback while watching on the sideline. We'll see where the Vikings go with the quarterback position this offseason.