JJ McCarthy, the Minnesota Vikings' No. 10 overall pick in the 2024 NFL Draft, has been relegated to third-string quarterback for the upcoming 2026 season. The decision comes after McCarthy lost the starting quarterback battle to Kyler Murray during training camp and subsequently failed to secure the second-string position behind veteran Carson Wentz.
Vikings head coach Kevin O'Connell announced Tuesday that Wentz will serve as the No. 2 quarterback for the regular-season opener against the Green Bay Packers. "I'm looking at that right now as a week-to-week thing, and Carson has almost 100 career starts," O'Connell stated. "J.J. is still going to get a bunch of great work. . . . This gives us the best chance to win this Sunday."
Murray was officially named the Week 1 starter last month. He joined the Vikings in the offseason on a one-year, $1.3 million contract after being released by the Arizona Cardinals. Murray reportedly signed a minimum deal with Minnesota, aiming to re-establish himself as a starting quarterback.
McCarthy, who arrived in Minnesota after winning a national championship with Michigan, missed his entire rookie season in 2024 due to an injury. In his first playing season (2025), he started ten games, throwing 11 touchdowns against 12 interceptions.
Despite the demotion, O'Connell expressed confidence in McCarthy's potential. "He's a young player with a bunch of outstanding things in his future," the coach said last month. "The immediate result wasn't what he wanted, but he's going to be ready to go and improve."