Minnesota Vikings Sign New QB, Officially End J.J. McCarthy’s Season

J.J. McCarthy will officially become the first quarterback drafted in the first round to miss his entire rookie season due to injury. The Minnesota Vikings announced the 10th pick from the 2024 NFL Draft has been placed on injured reserve.

Since this roster transaction is taking place now, before the final 53-man rosters are set, it means he will not be eligible to come off the list this season. Turning the page, Sam Darnold will be the team’s starting quarterback all season, barring injury or poor performance. But McCarthy’s roster spot has already been taken by another quarterback.

NFL Network’s Tom Pelissero reports the Minnesota Vikings have signed quarterback Matt Corral. The 25-year-old was a third-round pick in the 2022 NFL Draft, selected 94th overall by the Carolina Panthers. His opportunity in Carolina wouldn’t last long, as he was replaced by Bryce Young, when he was selected first overall in 2023.

Minnesota Vikings sign former third-round pick Matt Corral

Corral, like McCarthy, was placed on injured reserve during the preseason of his rookie year, though he suffered a Lisfranc injury. Then, after initially making the roster in his second season, the Panthers waived him one day after the 53-man cuts were announced.

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Corral’s next journey took him to the New England Patriots. However, after reportedly leaving the team’s facility without communicating, he was placed on the exempt/left squad list. Nine days later, the Patriots released him.

The quarterback has yet to play an NFL snap in a regular season game. However, he joined the UFL and signed with the Birmingham Stallions this past February. He started three games in the UFL.

• Matt Corral stats (UFL): 3-0, 58.1% comp. rate, 494 passing yards, 2 TD, 2 INT, 15 rush, 104 yards

Corral was once hyped as a potential first-round pick after starring at Ole Miss, where he finished seventh in the 2021 Heisman Trophy voting. He started his final three seasons with the Rebels.

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Now, he’ll finally get another chance in the NFL, and it comes under Kevin O’Connell’s tutelage. He’ll also get to play alongside Justin Jefferson (some) and a star-studded supporting cast. However, he has a long way to go before earning a roster spot, as he’s still behind Nick Mullens and Jaren Hall in the pecking order.

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That means we can expect Kwesi to keep his eye out for more QB help. There are some options out there. But for now, Corral provides a low-risk, (maybe) high-upside option for the Vikings to evaluate at camp. He may see some action in the Vikings’ third and final preseason game, which will be against the Philadelphia Eagles.