Everything changed for J.J. McCarthy on August 11, when Kevin O’Connell handed the Vikings’ starting quarterback job to Kyler Murray. McCarthy entered camp as a contender, but losing the competition was just the beginning. The slide down the depth chart has only accelerated since.
Just two weeks later, McCarthy found himself splitting second-team practice reps with Carson Wentz during an 80-minute session, ESPN reported. The 2024 No. 10 overall pick was no longer just the quarterback who came up short in a battle for the starting job. Now, even the backup spot is slipping from his grasp as the veteran Wentz pushes for the No. 2 role.
For a first-round pick taken only two years ago, that’s a stunning fall. The warning signs have been there all summer. McCarthy’s preseason performances have been uneven, with accuracy issues and a tendency to throw too hard when touch is needed, problems that surfaced well before sportsbook sign-ups spike during Super Bowl season.
Minnesota’s second preseason game put McCarthy’s struggles on full display. He escaped pressure and fired a 50-yard strike to Tai Felton down the right sideline, showcasing the athleticism and arm talent that made him a coveted prospect. But four plays later, on fourth-and-goal, he sailed a throw over a wide-open Myles Price in the end zone. The missed touchdown was the kind of mistake that lingers, especially when roster cuts loom and the starting job is already out of reach.
Carson Wentz’s case grows as roster deadline nears
Wentz has made his case with numbers, not just reputation, through two preseason games.
| 2026 preseason statistics | Carson Wentz | J.J. McCarthy |
|---|---|---|
| Completions/attempts | 18/25 | 9/17 |
| Passing touchdowns/interceptions | 1/0 | 0/0 |
| Passing yards | 173 | 115 |
The difference isn’t limited to August. Wentz started five games for Minnesota in 2025 while McCarthy was sidelined by a high ankle sprain. In his first three starts, Wentz completed 69 percent of his passes, averaged 253 yards per game, and threw five touchdowns against two interceptions.
A shoulder injury against the Browns in Week 5 derailed Wentz’s season, but he gutted out two more starts before landing on injured reserve. Now, after a full offseason and preseason in O’Connell’s system, Wentz looks like the safer bet behind Murray.
Max Brosmer is also on the roster, adding another layer of pressure as the Vikings approach Sunday’s cut to 53 players. McCarthy had already slipped to No. 2 before the preseason opener. If he loses the backup job, his spot on the roster becomes even harder to defend.
Minnesota would reportedly prefer to trade McCarthy rather than release him outright, largely because his remaining 2026 salary ($1.075 million) and all of his 2027 compensation ($3.775 million) are fully guaranteed. The Vikings may have to eat a chunk of that money to make a deal happen, a financial headache far removed from the headlines about celebrity bets.
For McCarthy, the preseason finale against the Broncos is now a crossroads. One last shot to change the narrative. But the path from first-round pick to a quarterback fighting for a roster spot is already painfully clear.
