If you’re a Vikings fan, you’re probably used to the "Quarterback Carousel of Doom" by now. Honestly, it’s basically a rite of passage for us. We just wrapped up a 9-8 season that felt like a fever dream, and here we are again, staring at the 2026 offseason with more questions than answers about the qb for minnesota vikings.
J.J. McCarthy was supposed to be the savior. The No. 10 pick from 2024. The guy who led Michigan to a natty. But after two years, the reality is kind of messy. McCarthy has only been active for 10 out of a possible 34 regular-season games. That’s not a typo. Between the meniscus surgery that robbed him of his entire rookie year and a 2025 campaign marred by an ankle injury, a concussion, and a weird hand issue in the season finale, his development has been stuck in traffic.
The J.J. McCarthy Conundrum: Is He Still "The Guy"?
Look, the flashes are there. In his NFL debut against the Bears, McCarthy became the first rookie since Steve Young in 1985 to overcome a 10-point fourth-quarter deficit and win in regulation. He threw for two scores and ran for another. People were ready to build the statue.
But the stats from the rest of the 2025 season tell a different story.
- 11 touchdowns.
- 12 interceptions.
- A 57.6% completion rate.
- A passer rating of 72.5.
That's not exactly Mahomes territory. Head Coach Kevin O'Connell and GM Kwesi Adofo-Mensah were surprisingly blunt in their season-ending presser on January 13, 2026. They didn't hand McCarthy the keys to the 2026 season. Instead, they talked about wanting a "deep and talented" quarterback room. That’s executive-speak for "we need a Plan B because Plan A can't stay on the field."
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McCarthy is only 22. He has time. But the Vikings don't. O'Connell and Adofo-Mensah are entering Year 5 with zero playoff wins. The clock isn't just ticking; it's screaming.
Why Sam Darnold Isn't Walking Through That Door
A lot of folks are still salty about Sam Darnold. Last year, he was right here, playing on a one-year deal. Then he went to Seattle and led the Seahawks to the No. 1 seed in the NFC. Meanwhile, the Vikings were trying to decide if undrafted rookie Max Brosmer could handle a blizzard in Green Bay.
Darnold’s contract situation with the Seahawks makes a reunion almost impossible. He’s set to carry a cap hit of $33.9 million in 2026 with $27.5 million in cash coming his way. The Vikings chose to bet on McCarthy's rookie-scale contract instead of paying Darnold, and while it was the "correct" move for the long-term cap, it hurts right now.
Who is actually in the Vikings QB room right now?
As of mid-January 2026, the depth chart is a bit thin. You've got McCarthy, obviously. Then there's Max Brosmer, who actually won a game against the Lions on Christmas Day and looked surprisingly competent. Carson Wentz was on the roster but spent most of the year on IR or acting as a break-glass-in-case-of-emergency backup. John Wolford and Brett Rypien are the names you see at the bottom of the list.
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It's not a group that strikes fear into the heart of the Detroit Lions or the Packers.
The "Wild Card" Options for 2026
If you believe the rumors—and there are plenty—the Vikings might go big. There have been whispers (mostly from ESPN’s Kevin Seifert) that Minnesota hasn’t ruled out a massive trade. We’re talking "pursue a Joe Burrow or Lamar Jackson" level of crazy if someone "shakes loose."
Is it likely? Probably not. But the Vikings are desperate.
More realistic options?
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- Mac Jones: He played well for the 49ers in relief of Brock Purdy last year, posting a Top 10 EPA. He’s 27 and would be a perfect "bridge" who could actually win games if McCarthy falters.
- Kyler Murray: Rumors out of Arizona suggest they might be ready to move on. Murray grew up a Vikings fan, which is the kind of narrative the media loves. His $53 million cap hit is a nightmare, but Kwesi loves a good spreadsheet challenge.
- Malik Willis: He was the most efficient QB in football last year in a tiny sample size for the Packers. He’s a free agent and would be a low-risk, high-reward "reclamation project" for O'Connell.
What should the Vikings do next?
The mission for the 2026 qb for minnesota vikings is simple but incredibly hard: Find someone who can play 17 games.
McCarthy needs a full offseason where he isn't rehabbing. O'Connell mentioned that McCarthy needs to work on a "repeatable top of his drop back" and getting the ball out faster. The kid has the "grit," as Kwesi put it, but grit doesn't fix a 12-to-11 interception-to-touchdown ratio.
Expect the Vikings to be aggressive in the next few weeks. They have two 3rd-round picks they can dingle in trades. They need a veteran who doesn't just "support" McCarthy but actively competes with him. Because if the Vikings miss the playoffs again in 2026, the next person they'll be looking for isn't just a new quarterback—it'll be a new front office.
Actionable Next Steps for the Offseason:
- Monitor the March 15 Roster Bonuses: Watch for veteran QBs across the league who get released before their bonuses kick in.
- The "Bridge" Veteran: Look for a signing in the $15–20 million range (like a Malik Willis or Mac Jones) to provide actual competition for McCarthy.
- Draft Insurance: Don't be shocked if the Vikings use a mid-round pick on another developmental arm, just in case McCarthy's injury luck doesn't change.
The 2026 season will define the O'Connell era. It's either McCarthy's breakout or the beginning of the end. There's no in-between anymore.