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Vikings Could Move On From J.J. McCarthy If He Loses Backup Job
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- Vikings Could Move On From J.J. McCarthy If He Loses Backup Job
Forget about losing the starting job, J.J. McCarthy might lose his spot on the Minnesota Vikings' roster.
After missing all of his rookie season due to injury, McCarthy returned to the gridiron in 2025 and had an underwhelming campaign. The former top-10 pick from Michigan completed 57.6% of his passes last season for 1,632 yards with 11 touchdowns and 12 interceptions. The Vikings didn't see enough promise to keep them away from the quarterback market in free agency.
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Once the Vikings signed Kyler Murray to a one-year deal, it was a formality that he'd be named the starter. What fans didn't expect though was for McCarthy to potentially lose the No. 2 spot on the depth chart.
Well, that seems to be a real possibility for McCarthy. According to Kevin Seifert of ESPN , McCarthy split second-team reps with Carson Wentz.
If Wentz gets the backup quarterback job, that could spell the end of McCarthy's time in Minnesota.
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Aug 22, 2026; Minneapolis, Minnesota, USA; Minnesota Vikings quarterback J.J. McCarthy (9) looks to throw a pass against the Baltimore Ravens during the first quarter at U.S. Bank Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Jeffrey Becker-Imagn ImagesJeffrey Becker-Imagn Images.
That being said, Mike Florio of Pro Football Talk believes the Vikings might trade away McCarthy before 53-man rosters are due this weekend.
"Wentz was a capable backup in 2025 for the Vikings, despite not signing until late August. With a full offseason, training camp, and preseason in the system, Wentz would be in even better position to fill in for Murray, if necessary," Florio wrote. "With Max Brosmer also on the roster, McCarthy could be in danger of not being on the roster by Sunday, when the rosters reduce to 53. The Vikings undoubtedly would try to trade him, since the balance of his 2026 pay ($1.075 million) and all of his 2027 compensation ($3.775 million) are fully guaranteed. The Vikings may have to pay a significant chunk of the money in order to facilitate a deal."
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Who would target J.J. McCarthy?
The Los Angeles Chargers aren't satisfied with their backup quarterback situation right now, so maybe Jim Harbaugh will reunite with McCarthy. After all, he absolutely loves the young signal-caller's talent and personality.
"I think he plays quarterback the best of any quarterback in the draft," Jim Harbaugh said of McCarthy before the 2024 draft. "He's incredible. So, big market, small market. Cold weather, hot weather, it won't matter."
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The Cleveland Browns could also make sense for McCarthys since neither Deshaun Watson or Shedeur Sanders had a strong preseason.
This story was originally published by The Spun on Aug 26, 2026, where it first appeared in the NFL section. Add The Spun as a Preferred Source by clicking here.
