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Things are getting worse for JJ McCarthy after losing Vikings starting job
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- Things are getting worse for JJ McCarthy after losing Vikings starting job
carson wentz jj mccarthy
Not only did J .J. McCarthy lose the starting quarterback battle to Kyler Murray , but he isn't looking like a shoo-in for the backup role now either.
McCarthy is now splitting second-team reps with Carson Wentz, as reported by ESPN after an 80-minute practice on Tuesday.
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McCarthy has been the No. 2 quarterback on the roster since early August, and it appears that he hasn't impressed many of the coaches since then. Now, Wentz — the former MVP candidate — may be starting to eat into his playing time.
Minnesota Vikings quarterback Carson Wentz warms up before an NFL preseason game AP Photo/Abbie Parr
Wentz opted to sign a one-year contract to return to the Vikings in March in what seemed like a curious move at the time, with many teams interested in his services, including the Jets.
This shocking practice development may be signaling that McCarthy is on the roster bubble and in serious danger of being cut by the team.
McCarthy, 23, is in year three of his fully guaranteed four-year contract that first-round picks in the NFL receive.
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McCarthy — a former national champion at Michigan — has played in just 10 games in his NFL career, throwing 11 touchdown passes and 12 interceptions with a 57.6 completion percentage.
He had an uneven performance in Minnesota's preseason game against Baltimore on Saturday night, playing 18 snaps before getting "banged up." Aside from a 50-yard completion to Tai Felton, McCarthy was largely inaccurate in the 13-3 defeat.
Typically, less than half of NFL teams keep three quarterbacks on the active roster.
J.J. McCarthy and Carson Wentz are now splitting second team reps. Getty Images
Wentz, 33, spent last season with the Vikings, where he played in five games, throwing six touchdown passes, five interceptions, and 1,216 passing yards.
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He has been a bit of a journeyman since 2020, when he departed from the Eagles amid a rash of injuries that saw him lose control of the starting job.
McCarthy and Wentz may have one more shot at a QB battle on Friday when the Vikings face the Broncos on Friday in the preseason finale.
