Minnesota Vikings quarterback J.J. McCarthy is experiencing increased competition for his role on the team, as he is now splitting second-team practice reps with veteran Carson Wentz. McCarthy, who was expected to contend for the backup quarterback position, has seen his standing challenged, according to reports following a recent practice.
McCarthy has been the No. 2 quarterback on the roster since early August. However, his performance has apparently not met expectations, leading to Wentz, a former MVP candidate, potentially eating into his playing time. Wentz rejoined the Vikings on a one-year contract in March, a move that drew attention given interest from other teams.
This development could signal that McCarthy, 23, is on the roster bubble and at risk of being cut. He is in the third year of his fully guaranteed four-year contract, which is standard for first-round NFL draft picks. The former Michigan national champion has appeared in 10 career NFL games, throwing for 11 touchdowns and 12 interceptions, with a 57.6% completion rate.
McCarthy's performance in the Vikings' preseason game against Baltimore was inconsistent. He played 18 snaps before sustaining a minor injury. Apart from a 50-yard completion, his accuracy was largely lacking in the 13-3 loss. Typically, NFL teams keep fewer than three quarterbacks on their active roster.
Wentz, 33, played in five games for the Vikings last season, accumulating 1,216 passing yards with six touchdowns and five interceptions. He has since become a journeyman quarterback, particularly after his departure from the Eagles in 2020 due to injuries that led to him losing his starting job.
Both McCarthy and Wentz may have another opportunity to showcase their abilities in the Vikings' preseason finale against the Broncos on Friday.