J.J. McCarthy's redshirt rookie season in the NFL hasn't gone to plan. In his return from last year's torn meniscus, the Vikings signal-caller has started just six of a possible 12 games, struggling in many of them.
Ahead of McCarthy's third campaign in Minnesota, expect the franchise to buttress him with some help in the quarterback room.
The Vikings are expected to add a veteran QB this offseason in an effort to "enhance" the room and "push" McCarthy, NFL Network Insider Ian Rapoport reported Sunday on NFL GameDay Morning.
McCarthy will be entering the third year of his rookie contract in 2026. The only other QB slated to be on the roster is undrafted rookie Max Brosmer, who was dreadful in his lone start for Minnesota this campaign (19-of-30 passing for 126 yards and four interceptions in the Vikings' Week 13 shutout loss to Seattle). McCarthy missed that game with a concussion but is set to return Sunday for the 4-8 Vikings against the Washington Commanders (3-9).
Carson Wentz was McCarthy's backup this year and served as a competent fill-in in the five games the starter missed due to a high ankle sprain. Wentz, who will be 33 at the start of next season, is currently on season-ending injured reserve after undergoing left shoulder surgery.
McCarthy, 22, is familiar with sharing the Vikings' QB room with a veteran with significant starting experience. Wentz and 2024 starter Sam Darnold were both top-three picks with a combined 150 starts before joining Minnesota.
Darnold was a stop-gap option ahead of the No. 10 pick McCarthy in 2024 but exceeded expectations and led the Vikings to 14-3 record and a playoff appearance. Minnesota let him walk to Seattle in the offseason, handing the starting reins to McCarthy and adding Wentz late in the summer to back him up. Daniel Jones, a former No. 6 selection who finished the 2024 campaign on Minnesota's practice squad, also left in the offseason to Indianapolis.
If the Vikings add a new QB in the 2026 offseason, he could be more Wentz than Darnold or Jones, capable of pushing McCarthy and showing him the ropes but not a signal-caller in his prime.
McCarthy has had his moments in his second NFL campaign, leading a furious comeback against Chicago in Week 1 and beating the Lions in his return from the ankle injury. But he's had as many if not more down days, most recently in Week 12 against Green Bay, when he threw for just 87 yards on 19 attempts, tossing two picks and taking five sacks in a 23-6 defeat.
Who could join McCarthy in Minnesota in 2026? There are a slew of veteran options, including Russell Wilson, Marcus Mariota, Tyrod Taylor, Joe Flacco, Jimmy Garoppolo, ex-Vikings Case Keenum and Teddy Bridgewater and, yes, Wentz. Jones and Aaron Rodgers are also not currently under contract for the upcoming campaign, but they are starting-caliber QBs; plus, Jones will surely be extended and Rodgers is more likely than not headed to retirement.
Whoever accompanies McCarthy in the QB room next season, he will be pivotal alongside coach Kevin O'Connell, a supposed QB whisperer, in bringing the Michigan man along and unleashing his first-round potential.
