The Minnesota Vikings have demoted former first-round pick J.J. McCarthy to third-string quarterback, with Carson Wentz named as the backup behind starter Kyler Murray for the team's Week 1 matchup against the Green Bay Packers. Coach Kevin O'Connell announced the decision, stating Wentz's experience makes him better prepared to step in if Murray is unable to play.
"Carson, he's got almost 100 career starts. What he was able to do last year from the standpoint of very limited repetitions but being able to apply a career's worth of experience, that's kind of what you need to do as a backup quarterback," O'Connell told reporters. "But J.J. is still going to get a bunch of great work..."
McCarthy's primary role will involve running scout team plays, particularly against mobile opposing quarterbacks. This move represents a significant shift for McCarthy, who was selected 10th overall in the 2024 NFL Draft with the expectation that he would become the Vikings' franchise quarterback.
The 2024 season presented immediate challenges for McCarthy. He missed his entire rookie year after suffering a torn meniscus during the Vikings' first preseason game, an injury that led the team to rely on Sam Darnold. McCarthy eventually became Minnesota's starter in 2025, achieving a notable fourth-quarter comeback in his debut against Chicago and earning NFC Offensive Player of the Week honors. However, his performance during the season was marked by turnovers and injuries, including a concussion, resulting in 11 touchdown passes and 12 interceptions.
Adding to McCarthy's uncertain future, the Vikings acquired Kyler Murray in the offseason. If Murray performs well, he is expected to be re-signed, potentially leaving McCarthy as a backup for the duration of his time with the team. This situation echoes the team's decision with Sam Darnold, who, after a strong 2024 performance, was not re-signed for 2025 and subsequently won a Super Bowl with the Seattle Seahawks. O'Connell emphasized the decision is fluid, stating, "I'm looking at that right now as a week-to-week thing... This gives us the best chance to win this Sunday."