J.J. McCarthy went into Minnesota Vikings training camp battling Kyler Murray for the starting quarterback job, but that competition was settled even *before* Week 1 of the preseason, with Murray getting the nod. Now, the biggest question isn’t whether McCarthy will start, it is if the 23-year-old signal-caller will even make Minnesota’s final roster at all. Talk about a brutal early hit for a guy who was a first-round pick just last year!
From Starter Battle to Roster Bubble: What Happened?
Seriously, what a turn of events! McCarthy didn’t just lose the starting gig, he apparently didn’t even lock down the backup spot. The word around the league is that 33-year-old veteran Carson Wentz may get the nod as the backup QB over McCarthy. This kid couldn’t even play in the Vikings’ final preseason game because of an ankle injury, which sure didn’t help his case. If Wentz gets the backup job, McCarthy could still be held on as a third-stringer. But that’s a big “if,” and it depends on whether Minnesota actually wants to keep him or just let the 2024 first-round pick seek a fresh start after what’s been a pretty rocky tenure so far. The Athletic’s Alec Lewis totally left McCarthy off his 53-man projection, flat out saying the decision was tied to McCarthy losing that backup battle to Wentz. Lewis even quoted, “McCarthy’s comfort (or lack thereof) with being QB3 could dictate his future in Minnesota.” Yikes!
The Ugly Truth: McCarthy’s Preseason Numbers Don’t Lie
Look, sometimes the stats just tell the story, and McCarthy’s preseason numbers are screaming. He completed just 9 of 17 passes, a rough 52.9%, for a measly 115 yards. He got sacked twice across seven drives over two games. Wanna know how those drives ended? Six of McCarthy’s seven preseason possessions ended in a punt. The other one? A turnover on downs on the 1-yard line. That’s not exactly inspiring stuff from a guy picked in the first round. Head coach Kevin O’Connell kept it super vague after the preseason finale against the Broncos, not saying much about McCarthy’s future. He did float the idea of keeping four quarterbacks as a “possibility,” adding, “I don’t think it is out of the question that we try to keep all of those guys, but at the same time, we got to do what’s best for our team.” He talked about wanting a “deep quarterback room” and “all four of those guys had their moments.” Moments? That feels like coach-speak for a player who hasn’t delivered, especially when the official deadline is looming large.
What’s Next for the Young QB?
As of right now, McCarthy is still a Viking, but the clock is ticking big time. Minnesota hasn’t dropped any info about who they’re cutting to get to that 53-man roster limit. The deadline is 6 p.m. ET on Sunday, Aug. 30. Will they cut him loose, or try to trade him? Will they keep him as a deep third-string project despite the rough start and the analyst predictions? It’s a huge decision for the Vikings and a potentially career-defining moment for J.J. McCarthy. We’ll find out what’s best for *their* team very, very soon.
This article was created with AI assistance and published under Seattle On Tap’s editorial standards. See our Editorial Policy.
Originally reported by Yahoo Sports.
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