The Minnesota Vikings are throwing off the kid gloves with J.J. McCarthy.
The Vikings declined to bring in any competition for McCarthy heading into his third year in the NFL to ensure his comfort as the franchise quarterback.
That appears to be changing after an inconsistent and injury-filled campaign by McCarthy.
Kevin O’Connell had previously called J.J. McCarthy the Vikings’ franchise quarterback. Getty Images
Vikings executive vice president of football operations, Rob Brzezinski, told reporters there would be an emphasis on the quarterback position this offseason.
“What we do know is we need a level of baseline quarterback play for us to be effective,” Brzezinski said at the NFL Combine. “A lot of this has been J.J. in unfortunate [situations] with some of the injuries and things that he’s dealt with, but we’re going to explore every opportunity, and I don’t think there’s anything specifically we’re looking for. We can’t manufacture anything that’s not there. So, No. 1, what are the options? Is it reciprocal? Is it financially doable? All those things. There’s just a lot of factors that go into it.”
Brzezinski added that the team would be “casting a wide net” when it came to improving the quarterback play.
“I don’t think we’re ruling anything out,” said Brzezinski, who took over personnel decisions after the Vikings fired GM Kwesi Adofo-Mensah on Jan. 30.
Among available options is their former quarterback Kirk Cousins, who will be released by the Falcons, as well as Tua Tagovailoa and Kyler Murray if they go for one of the more pricier options.
The change is obviously a massive shift in organizational philosophy, considering Minnesota already let Sam Darnold walk in free agency last year after he led them to a 14-3 record, and opted not to sign Aaron Rodgers.
J.J. McCarthy will have a lot to prove in 2026. AP
The Vikings selected McCarthy with the No. 10 pick in the 2024 draft but he suffered a season-ending meniscus tear in his right knee after a strong training camp.
McCarthy struggled mightily throughout his second season, throwing for 1,632 yards, 11 touchdowns and 12 interceptions, while missing time with an ankle sprain and then a broken hand.
The Vikings were forced to turn to Carson Wentz and then the undrafted Max Brosmer, while finishing 9-8 and missing the playoffs.
Darnold led the Vikings to a 14-3 record the year prior, and did the same for the Seahawks this year, culminating in a Super Bowl win.
The Vikings fired Adofo-Mensah after four seasons in large part because he chose McCarthy over Darnold.
