The Minnesota Vikings are in a weird spot. Honestly, if you looked at the MN Vikings QB depth chart a year ago, you probably thought the plan was set in stone. J.J. McCarthy was the future, Sam Darnold was the bridge, and everything was supposed to be linear.
Sports don't work like that.
As we sit here in January 2026, the situation in Eagan is anything but settled. Kevin O'Connell and Kwesi Adofo-Mensah just wrapped up their end-of-season press conferences, and the vibe was... telling. "Compete" was the word of the day. O'Connell used it seven times in about two minutes. That isn't what you say when you have an entrenched, locked-in starter you're 100% sold on.
The Current State of the MN Vikings QB Depth Chart
Right now, the roster looks a little thin because of how the 2025 season ended. You've got guys on IR, guys on futures contracts, and a whole lot of "questionable" tags.
J.J. McCarthy: The QB1 (For Now)
McCarthy is the name at the top, but it's a shaky top. After missing his entire rookie year in 2024 with that knee injury, he finally got on the field in 2025. It was a roller coaster. He started 10 games, went 6-4, and showed those flashes of why he was the 10th overall pick. He also looked like a kid who hadn't played much football in two years.
The stats weren't pretty: 57.6% completion rate, 11 touchdowns, and 12 interceptions. He’s currently dealing with a hand injury that knocked him out of the season finale against Green Bay, which adds yet another layer of "can he stay healthy?" to the conversation.
Max Brosmer: The Gopher Legend
Max Brosmer is the guy everyone in Minnesota wants to root for. The former U of M standout and undrafted free agent actually ended up starting two games this year. He even led a game-winning drive against the Giants. He’s smart, he plays guitar, he likes chess—he's basically the most interesting man in the locker room.
But is he a long-term NFL starter? Probably not. He threw four picks and zero touchdowns in his limited action. He’s a solid QB3 or a developmental backup, but if he's your Week 1 starter in 2026, something went sideways.
The Rest of the Room
- John Wolford: Currently the de facto backup on the active depth chart. He’s a veteran who knows the system, but he’s a floor-raiser, not a ceiling-breaker.
- Carson Wentz: He's on Injured Reserve with a shoulder injury. Wentz actually played decent football for the Vikings this year—way better than people expected—but his contract is up. He was a one-year band-aid.
- Brett Rypien: Holding down a spot on the practice squad/fringe roster.
What Happened to Sam Darnold?
You might be wondering where Sam Darnold went. He’s a Seahawk now. He signed a massive three-year, $100.5 million deal with Seattle last offseason after lighting it up in purple. The Vikings basically chose to let him walk to clear the way for McCarthy.
In hindsight? That hurt. Darnold threw 35 touchdowns in 2024. McCarthy struggled to hit double digits in 2025. Now, the Vikings are looking at a free-agent market where the "bridge" options aren't nearly as high-upside as Darnold was.
Why the 2026 Offseason is Going to be Wild
Kevin O'Connell basically told the media that he wants the deepest, most talented room possible. He’s not handing McCarthy the keys.
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There is a real chance the Vikings bring in a "Tier 2" starter to push J.J. The names floating around right now are fascinating.
- Mac Jones: He’s been playing well in San Francisco but he's stuck behind Brock Purdy. He fits the O'Connell system perfectly—distribute the ball, don't overthink it, let Justin Jefferson do the work.
- Malik Willis: This is the "O'Connell Whisperer" special. Willis has been incredibly efficient in small samples for Green Bay. If the Vikings want a dual-threat guy to compete with McCarthy's mobility, Willis is the low-risk, high-reward bet.
- Kyler Murray: The pipe dream. Rumors out of Arizona suggest they might be ready to move on. Murray grew up a Vikings fan. His cap hit is massive ($53 million), but with Kwesi's "competitive rebuild" logic, they could find a way to make the numbers dance.
The Justin Jefferson Factor
You can't talk about the MN Vikings QB depth chart without mentioning #18. Jefferson had a frustrating 2025. He dealt with a hamstring injury early on, and then he had to deal with the "hiccups" of a rookie quarterback.
There was that Week 1 pick-six against the Bears where Jefferson and McCarthy just weren't on the same page. It’s hard to keep the best receiver in football happy when he's running cardio because the ball is sailing over his head or getting intercepted. The Vikings' front office knows they have to stabilize the QB spot to maximize Jefferson's prime. They can't afford another year of "developmental growing pains" if it means winning 8 or 9 games and missing the playoffs again.
Reality Check: The Schedule and the Stakes
The Vikings finished 9-8. They missed the playoffs. For a coach like O'Connell entering his fifth year, the seat starts to get a little warm if you don't show progress.
McCarthy has only started 10 of a possible 34 games over his first two seasons. That is a tiny sample size. The Vikings are essentially treating 2026 like McCarthy's true "sophomore" jump, but they are doing it with a safety net.
If McCarthy shows up to training camp and looks like the guy he was at Michigan—composed, efficient, a winner—then he's the starter. But if he struggles with his footwork or that hand injury lingers, don't be surprised if a veteran like Mac Jones or even a guy like Marcus Mariota is under center for the season opener.
What You Should Watch For
The next few months are going to tell us everything.
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- Free Agency (March): Do they sign a "backup" or a "competitor"? If they sign a guy for $5 million, it's McCarthy's team. If they sign a guy for $20 million, we have a quarterback battle.
- The Draft (April): The Vikings pick 18th. They won't take a QB in the first round, but keep an eye on those Day 2 picks. If they grab a mid-round guy, it signals they don't trust the depth behind J.J.
- OTA Reports: Listen to what the beat writers say about McCarthy's "top of the drop" mechanics. O'Connell was very specific about that in his exit interview.
The MN Vikings QB depth chart is a fluid document. It’s written in pencil, not ink. While McCarthy is the "incumbent," the organization has made it clear that the era of blind faith is over. They want wins, and they'll play whoever gives them the best chance to get them.
Your Move: Keep an eye on the legal tampering window in March. That is when the first domino will fall. If the Vikings don't land a significant veteran, it means they’re pushing all their chips in on McCarthy’s Year 3 leap. If they do? Get ready for the most intense training camp battle in Eagan in a decade.