Vikings Could Give Up on JJ McCarthy Sooner Than Later

The Minnesota Vikings have five games left this season and little to play for in terms of their overall record. They aren’t going to make the playoffs, and elimination could become official as soon as this weekend.

Even so, a healthy J.J. McCarthy is expected to return as the starting quarter. Nothing is more important for the franchise right now than determining whether their young quarterback can develop into a reliable piece of their future. Unfortunately, that hasn’t been the case so far, and the Vikings may not be willing to wait much longer.

Make or break time for McCarthy in Minnesota

Saying that J.J. McCarthy has looked overmatched might be an understatement. Justin Jefferson is visibly frustrated, and head coach Kevin O’Connell has voiced concerns as well. At 4-8 the Vikings have struggled largely because of inconsistent quarterback play. ESPN’s Bill Barnwell believes the final stretch of the season will shape McCarthy’s future with the team.

If McCarthy returns from his concussion and shows signs of growth over the final month of the season, the Vikings should field competition for their starting job in camp next year. If he continues to look overmatched upon his return to the lineup, though, the Vikings might move forward with a new plan at quarterback, consigning McCarthy to a backup role after just a handful of pro starts.

ESPN

The situation is far from ideal. McCarthy, a former first-round pick, has already missed significant time, and when he has been on the field, he hasn’t shown noticeable progress. It’s unfortunate that this is the state of things for the Vikings and McCarthy, but it’s hard to ignore the realities.

This season McCarthy owns a 2-4 record with an ugly 54.1% completion rate, six touchdowns, and 10 interceptions. Poor fundamentals have been at the center of his struggles, and the coaching staff has reportedly simplified the offense in an attempt to help him.

It’s been a rough debut season. An 11-game sample may not be entirely fair, but it’s all the Vikings will have to evaluate once the season ends.

Daniel Jones unlikely option for Vikings

Last offseason, the Vikings had interest in Daniel Jones as a veteran option. They even offered him more money than the Indianapolis Colts, but he opted for a clearer path to a starting role. After delivering an impressive season, it appears he’ll remain with the Colts.

The Colts can franchise-tag Jones for $46 million in 2026, and if Jones looks ordinary while he plays through a fractured fibula down the stretch, it might be the most prudent option. If in December and January we see the version of Jones who in the first half of 2025 looked like an MVP candidate, he might be able to extract another contract with a multiyear guarantee.

ESPN

Jones has led Indianapolis to an 8-4 record while playing through a significant injury. Even so, he has managed a 67.9% completion rate and a 19/7 TD/INT ratio.

The Colts seem to have found their quarterback. The Vikings, meanwhile, are still searching for clarity at the most important position in the game.