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Vikings Could Give Up on JJ McCarthy Sooner Than Later
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- Vikings Could Give Up on JJ McCarthy Sooner Than Later
Tork Mason / USA TODAY NETWORK via Imagn Images Tork Mason / USA TODAY NETWORK via Imagn Images
The Minnesota Vikings have five games left this season and little to play for when it comes to the bottom line. They aren't going to make the playoffs, and elimination could hit them as soon as this weekend.
That said, a healthy J.J. McCarthy is expected back under center . Nothing means more for the franchise than their young quarterback looking like a competent piece for the future. It hasn't trended that way yet, and Minnesota may not have interest in waiting to find out.
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Make or break time for McCarthy in Minnesota
To say that J.J. McCarthy has looked overmatched would be putting it lightly. Justin Jefferson is fed up . Kevin O'Connell has voiced frustrations . The 4-8 Minnesota Vikings have largely flopped due to quarterback play. ESPN's Bill Barnwell sees the stretch ahead determining the future.
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If McCarthy returns from his concussion and shows signs of growth over the final month of the season, the Vikings should field competition for their starting job in camp next year. If he continues to look overmatched upon his return to the lineup, though, the Vikings might move forward with a new plan at quarterback, consigning McCarthy to a backup role after just a handful of pro starts.
It's unfortunate that this is the state of things for the Vikings and McCarthy, but it's hard to ignore the realities. The former first round pick has missed a substantial amount of time thus far, and he hasn't taken steps forward when on the field.
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This season McCarthy owns a 2-4 record with an ugly 54.1% completion rate . He has thrown just six touchdowns and has 10 interceptions. Fundamentals have been at the crux of the issues, but now Minnesota is also trying to dumb down the offense for him.
It's been a mess of a debut, and an 11-game sample size may not be fair, but that's what the Vikings will have to evaluate when the dust settles.
Daniel Jones unlikely option for Vikings
Last offseason the Minnesota Vikings had eyes on Daniel Jones as a veteran quarterback to keep around . They offered him more money than the Indianapolis Colts , but he saw a clearer path to starting. After an exceptional season, it's likely he'll stick around.
The Colts can franchise-tag Jones for $46 million in 2026, and if Jones looks ordinary while he plays through a fractured fibula down the stretch, it might be the most prudent option. If in December and January we see the version of Jones who in the first half of 2025 looked like an MVP candidate, he might be able to extract another contract with a multiyear guarantee.
Jones has led the Colts to an 8-4 record thus far , and he's playing through a significant injury. That hasn't stopped him from turning in a 67.9% completion rate and having a 19/7 TD/INT ratio.
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The Colts got their guy and the Vikings are still wondering what they need to do in order to find theirs.
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