Story by
Vikings HC Kevin O'Connell announces big JJ McCarthy decision for Week 1
- Story by
- Vikings HC Kevin O'Connell announces big JJ McCarthy decision for Week 1
Vikings HC Kevin O'Connell announces big JJ McCarthy decision for Week 1 originally appeared on The Sporting News . Add The Sporting News as a Preferred Source by clicking here .
The Minnesota Vikings have already made a massive decision with their quarterback room, naming Kyler Murray as the team's starting quarterback.
Advertisement
Now, with the 2026 season opener against the Green Bay Packers just a few days away, the Vikings have made another massive decision with the quarterback room, this time with J.J. McCarthy and Carson Wentz .
According to ESPN's Adam Schefter, Vikings head coach Kevin O'Connell has decided to make Wentz the team's backup quarterback, which means McCarthy has been demoted to QB3 on the Vikings roster.
Vikings make JJ McCarthy QB depth chart decision for Week 1
"Vikings HC Kevin O'Connell announced Carson Wentz will be the No. 2 backup QB on Sunday vs. the Packers and J.J. McCarthy will be QB3," Schefter reports.
Advertisement
This decision from the Vikings is a significant one, as it means that McCarthy is now even further away from seeing game action again.
Being the third quarterback means the Vikings might have McCarthy as inactive as the emergency third QB on game days, effectively sealing his fate as someone who won't see the field much, if at all, this upcoming season.
MORE: Packers ' motivated ' to sign Tucker Kraft to long-term extension
Wentz is going to back up Murray for Minnesota this year, and while the Vikings might not use Wentz much, if at all, this year, he at least provides a decent floor as a solid bench quarterback for the Vikings.
Advertisement
McCarthy's inconsistencies and mistake-laden play have him less of a backup and more of a developmental option at best.
With this decision from O'Connell now made, it's clear the Vikings are ready to move on from the former first-round QB just three years after he was drafted.
