Credit: IMAGN IMAGES via Reuters Connect
On Tuesday, the Minnesota Vikings strapped up their pads for the second time of Training Camp in 2026, where all eyes remain on the quarterback battle between J.J. McCarthy and Kyler Murray.
Since being drafted 10th overall in 2024, McCarthy has played in a whopping 10 games, and he hasn’t performed well for the majority share of those starting reps.
That’s why Murray, an NFL veteran who already has two Pro Bowls under his belt, came into camp as the easy favorite to start behind center for Minnesota come week one.
Credit: IMAGN IMAGES via Reuters Connect
At this point, after more tough practices on Monday and Tuesday, it’s starting to feel like the only way JJ McCarthy takes a regular season snap is if Kyler Murray isn’t on the active roster or gets lost on the way to U.S. Bank Stadium.
In fact, those following the team closest are starting to wonder if the MN Vikings’ 2024 first round draft pick is even worthy of wearing the QB2 title entering 2026.
Coller questioning Minnesota Vikings quarterback race
Even prior to another no-good, very bad day from McCarthy in the Vikings’ second padded practice this afternoon, beat reporter Matt Coller (Purple Insider) was wondering out loud on his podcast Monday night whether or not JJ can even beat out Carson Wentz for the QB2 job, out of camp.
Then the very next day, wouldn’t you know it, Wentz was indeed the first QB out with the two’s, according to Jason Harmon (Sleeper).
Question: “Do we think that Wentz is permanent number 2, in the sense that JJ [McCarthy] will be number 3, if Kyler Murray goes down?”
Coller: “That’s really up to J.J. [McCarthy]. I mean if J.J. continues to play in camp the exact same way he has for the first four days then there’s a good chance Carson Wentz will be the backup.”
Purple Insider Podcast
Related: Voice of Vikings Blasts Top NFL Insider
Walkthrough period for the last 15 minutes or so but looks like we’re moving to situationals with Wentz getting first go with the 2’s
— Jason Harmon (@JasonHarmonNFL) August 4, 2026
McCarthy has a 6-4 career record as Minnesota Vikings starting QB, but don’t let that fool you. JJ completed just 57.6% of his passes in 2025, where he managed an unimpressive 11/12 TD/INT ratio.
Meanwhile, Kyler Murray has completed 67.1% of the passes he’s thrown in his NFL career with a 121/60 TD/INT ratio. There is a reason why the Vikings were so desperate to land this guy. He and JJ McCarthy are not in the same weight class, at least not at this point in their QB arcs.
Carson Wentz is MN Vikings ideal backup
If the Minnesota Vikings aren’t going to start J.J. McCarthy on September 13th against the Green Bay Packers (the most likely aren’t), then it becomes extremely plausible he isn’t active at all, outside of emergency QB3.
We all know what Carson Wentz is capable of, at this point in his career. If needed in a pinch, there might not be a lot of veteran backups you’d rather have take the field than the 32-year-old NDSU alum, especially now that he is more familiar with the Vikings’ playbook and hopefully has a healthier line in front of him.
Carson Wentz on the Vikings final drive of the game:
9-for-9
71 yards
TD
pic.twitter.com/9SXhXCBaPb
— Ted (@tlschwerz) October 6, 2025
Obviously, Wentz isn’t the same guy who led the Philadelphia Eagles to the Super Bowl only for Nick Foles to take over. In five games last year, he completed 65.1% of his passes with a 6/5 TD/INT ratio while he was repeatedly pounded into the turf, proving not just his toughness, but a dedication to the cause, no matter cost.
If the Minnesota Vikings indeed plan to keep Wentz active over JJ McCarthy on game days, the question then becomes, why they’d keep McCarthy at all? Of course, we’ll see what happens when preseason games start playing out later this month.
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