Insider Calls JJ McCarthy’s Progress a Problem for MN Vikings

This offseason the Minnesota Vikings made a conscious decision to tab J.J. McCarthy as their starting quarterback. They allowed Sam Darnold to sign for big money with the Seattle Seahawks, and they didn’t do enough to retain Daniel Jones.

McCarthy was going to be the starter, and there was never any competition to suggest otherwise. He played in two games, looked largely overmatched, and has been injured since. Progress on both the health and developmental front has been all over the place, and that leaves the Minnesota Vikings in a tough spot.

Expectations were different for JJ McCarthy’s injury

J.J. McCarthy’s timeline for a return from his high ankle sprain has changed about as often as the weather. From two, to four, to six weeks, things have consistently been in flux. The Athletic’s Dianna Russini reported that Minnesota had hoped the quarterback would progress faster.

The Vikings were originally hoping J.J. McCarthy would “progress faster” injury wise and didn’t. @DMRussini also explains the issue with pain in the front of his foot while also noting it’s very unlikely he plays Thursday.

Russini doesn’t elaborate much on this… but at the… pic.twitter.com/kVtQWgCg1b

— The Purple Persuasion (@TPPSkol) October 21, 2025

“In terms of the estimation, I was always told 4-6 [weeks]. They though maybe he would hit the four week. When he couldn’t put pressure on the front of his foot, in the way that they wanted him to. They didn’t call it a setback, they just were hoping that he was going to progress faster and he didn’t.

Let’s go back to this too, that has always been the key for him. They want him to have a full week of practice. I think we can assume that the game against the Chargers on Thursday will not be realistic. Six weeks would be that week after, which is the Lions. I think if he’s healthy and cleared, that probably is the time we see him, unless by some miracle this week he’s feeling awesome.”

Dianna Russini – Scoop City

There’s multiple problems with the reality that McCarthy has forced Minnesota into. If the Vikings felt there was just a chance he could return in four weeks, than injured reserve would have made sense because at worst it would have been one additional missed game.

Also, the Minnesota Vikings flew McCarthy to Europe with the intentions of having him practice. They didn’t do so because of the healing that had yet to occur, according to Russini, but also the field conditions in London. Minnesota is looking to thread a needle in which everything must be perfect solely for McCarthy to get on the field.

Although not an official practice, Minnesota dubbed McCarthy (and Carson Wentz for that matter) as limited on Monday. That seems to suggest a full week of practice is not possible and he will be held out once again.

Combined with Kevin O’Connell having recently talked about McCarthy needing to shore up rudimentary things like his footwork and foundation, everything about the situation is a mess.

MN Vikings QB future gets interesting

Had Wentz played consistently competent football since being installed as the starter, this would be less of a talking point. The reality is that he hasn’t and he too is hurt. Russini also suggested that could cause problems as Minnesota tries to hang onto their playoff hopes.

“Where this is going to get a little fishy, I think, and a little dicey for them, is when everybody is healthy. What are we going to do? They will tell you they are going to go with J.J. McCarthy. In the meantime, Sam Darnold, Daniel Jones, and Aaron Rodgers are all doing very well.”

Dianni Russini – Scoop City

That last bit is telling, and certainly a shot across O’Connell’s bow from Russini. She banged the drum hard for Rodgers this offseason, and has been vindicated in doing so. The Vikings not having a clear direction, even when everyone is healthy, speaks to the progress McCarthy has made (or lack thereof) on the field as well.

Mike Florio recently wondered if it doesn’t need to be Max Brosmer, or even Kirk Cousins time. The reality is that multiple insiders can see the situation, and that things haven’t worked out as planned. You don’t need to pull the plug on McCarthy as a future consideration, but his lack of consistent health and developmental progress is beyond alarming.