J.J. McCarthy’s time in Minnesota looks like it’s over before it really even started. The 2024 No. 10 overall pick has officially lost the starting quarterback job to Kyler Murray, and now he’s not even the clear backup, forced to split second-team reps with veteran Carson Wentz just weeks before the 2026 regular season kicks off. Talk about a brutal fall from grace for a top prospect, right? The writing is on the wall, and it points to an inevitable split between McCarthy and the Vikings.
The No. 10 Pick’s Shocking Collapse
Head coach Kevin O’Connell made it official on August 11, naming Kyler Murray the starter. Since then, McCarthy’s stock has plummeted faster than a punt returner without blockers. He entered camp duking it out for the top job, and now he’s sharing second-team reps. Seriously, what a wild turn! For anyone paying attention this summer, it’s not a huge shock. There just hasn’t been much improvement in his game, which continues to run frustratingly hot and cold.
We saw it perfectly in Week 2 of the preseason. One moment, he’s making a highlight reel play, evading pressure and ripping a 50-yard dime to Tai Felton down the right sideline. You’re thinking, “Okay, maybe he’s got it.” Then, just four plays later, he airmails Myles Price for what should’ve been an absolute layup of a touchdown on a fourth-and-goal attempt. Those kinds of misses on throws that NFL quarterbacks *have* to make are exactly what’s opening the door for Wentz to leapfrog him on the depth chart.
Carson Wentz Stepping Up When It Counts
While McCarthy struggles to find consistency, Carson Wentz has proven he’s the better option in the limited preseason windows we’ve seen. Just look at the numbers through two weeks: Wentz has completed 18 of 25 passes for 173 yards with 1 touchdown and no interceptions. McCarthy? He’s sitting at 9 of 17 for 115 yards, no touchdowns, and no picks. Those stats alone tell you a lot about the current situation.
And it’s not just this summer. Wentz was actually the better quarterback on Minnesota’s roster last year too. He started five games for the Vikings in 2025 while McCarthy was sidelined with a high ankle sprain. In his first three starts, Wentz completed 69% of his throws, averaging 253 passing yards per game, racking up five passing touchdowns to just two interceptions, and giving that passing offense a real jolt. Even after suffering a shoulder injury in Week 5 against the Browns, he toughed it out for two more games before hitting injured reserve. His numbers dipped in those final two starts, but his overall impact was clear.
So, what’s next? With the regular season campaign on the horizon, the Vikings have a serious decision to make about their former No. 10 overall pick. McCarthy’s future in Minnesota seems pretty much sealed. The question now is if they try to move him before Week 1, and who fully cements themselves as the backup to Kyler Murray for the season ahead.
This article was created with AI assistance and published under Seattle On Tap’s editorial standards. See our Editorial Policy.
Originally reported by CBS Sports.
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