Vikings Reporters Suggest JJ McCarthy’s Job is in Serious Jeopardy

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Carson Wentz : Cincinnati Bengals at Minnesota Vikings
Credit: Jeffrey Becker-Imagn Images

Confidence is sky high in the Minnesota Vikings locker room this week, as they prepare for a two-week international business trip that begins this Sunday in Dublin, Ireland against Aaron Rodgers and the Pittsburgh Steelers.

Last weekend, a 32-year-old Carson Wentz took over under center for an injured McCarthy, where — just a few weeks after being signed — stepped in and instantly looked light years ahead of the Vikings’ 2024 No. 10 overall draft pick, leading Minnesota to an easy 48-10 victory over the Cincinnati Bengals.

Carson Wentz and Justin Jefferson : Cincinnati Bengals at Minnesota Vikings
Credit: Jeffrey Becker-Imagn Images

Naturally, the A-topic among Vikings fans and local media in the days that have followed, has been focused on the brewing QB controversy that could be facing the franchise weeks from now, when McCarthy returns from injury… and less on what to expect overseas vs the Steelers in week 4.

I’m not sure head coach Kevin O’Connell made the situation any better on Monday, when he attempted to dodge, duck, dip, dive and dodge his way through a barrage of questions surrounding this POSSIBLE future QB conundrum.

Kevin O’Connell faces questions about JJ McCarthy vs Carson Wentz

In response to one reporter’s question, referencing Tracy Wolfson’s in-game report from Sunday that McCarthy will sit out through the Vikings’ week 6 bye, O’Connell initially pushed back, “I would not say that [report] is accurate.”

But when gathered media dug deeper, the head coach went on to suggest that he and the Vikings training staff will indeed be cautious with their approach to bringing their future franchise QB back.

He even floated a timeline that could be extended further, in order to make sure JJ can properly prepare for a full week’s workload. But that was pretty much the extent KOC was willing to discuss any future Vikings QB projections, as you can see and below.

Reporter: “So when J.J. [McCarthy] is healthy, are you 100 percent committed bringing him back [as the starter]?”

KOC: “Yeah, I think first and foremost, [JJ McCarthy’s] got to get healthy. And then, throughout that process, I don’t think it’s one of those things where it’s, ‘Hey, the day he’s healthy.’ And if he’s healthy the night before a game, we’re going to just throw him out there and say, ‘Hey, go figure it out’ type of thing.

I think we saw as phenomenal as he was getting prepared for the Atlanta game, he did miss practice that week. And when you’re in the phase of building up the 10,000 reps and 10,000 hours of what it takes to play the position at a very high level, which we know J.J. McCarthy is going to do, you can’t cut corners on that.

And that also doesn’t require an answer on that question today. I think our goal was to win a football game yesterday. We’re in the day after that, we’ve had our players in. We’re preparing for another top-tier opponent, and I think we’ve got to have another really good week of preparation…”

Look, there’s no denying what we say for seven out of eight quarters of Minnesota Vikings football, between weeks one and two. JJ McCarthy looked more like a deer in headlights during those two starts, than he did a starting NFL QB ready to lead a veteran team deep into the playoffs.

But this is not a black and white conversation. When decision time comes, assuming Wentz stays healthy and plays well, Kevin O’Connell will have to weigh everything from McCarthy’s development, to how his teammates feel, to how to best win a football game.

Minnesota Vikings media heavily questioning JJ McCarthy’s job security

But whatever vibes the Vikings head coach gave off on Monday afternoon — combined with what is being whispered behind the scenes — has pretty much lit a local media wildfire surrounding JJ McCarthy’s job security.

If you are subscribed to or read any of the major media outlets in town, you probably came across a Minnesota Vikings reporter either questioning McCarthy’s future as QB1… or downright reporting/predicting that it is Carson Wentz’ job to lose.

Was it fair to expect McCarthy’s processing capability to adapt to the NFL game with a two-week sample size? And, perhaps most important, will the Vikings have the stomach to thrust McCarthy back into the fire if Wentz is still moving the offense?

To O’Connell’s earlier point, the last topic of conversation is getting ahead of things. But it’s too relevant now not to consider. The answer will reveal a great deal about the team’s priorities — both in the short and long term.

Alec Lewis – The Athletic

Things could change. Wentz could have two gigantic stinkers, especially against the Cleveland defense in London. But at least on this day, things seem pretty clear. No pressure, Carson, but this is your job to lose now.

Mark Craig – MN Star Tribune

Patrick Reusse and I talked [on the Daily Delivery Podcast] about…what if Wentz does indeed play both of those games, and plays well, and the Vikings win both to go to 4-1.

There’s a bye week after that, giving McCarthy plenty of time to get healthy. What do you do at QB then? “I keep playing Carson Wentz,” Reusse said. “And guess what? So will they.”

I’m not sure I fully buy into that because of everything the Vikings have invested in McCarthy and their keen interest in continuing his development, but it would be hard to go away from Wentz at that point.

Michael Rand – MN Star Tribune Patrick

It won’t be an easy decision, and it will have more tentacles than anything we could even imagine, both internally and externally. Thanfully, we have a head coach who carefully considers all consequences of any move at QB. Obviously, one of this magnitude will be dealt with even great caution.

Nonetheless, nothing will stop media and fans from discussing such a juicy in-season talker. The Minnesota Vikings have invested incredible amounts of time and effort into developing McCarthy. That will be taken into account, as will winning in 2025 and beyond.

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