If you’re wondering who is Vikings starting QB right now, the answer depends on whether you’re looking at the 2025 depth chart or the murky reality of the 2026 offseason. Technically, J.J. McCarthy ended the season as the guy, but the "Minnesota Vikings quarterback" situation is basically a giant question mark taped to a locker room door.
After a 9-8 finish in 2025, the vibes in Eagan are... complicated.
Honestly, it feels like the team is at a crossroads. J.J. McCarthy was the 10th overall pick in 2024, but his road to being the franchise savior has been anything but smooth. He missed his entire rookie year with a torn meniscus. Then, in 2025, he finally got the keys, but it was a roller coaster. We saw everything from a miracle comeback against the Bears to a dismal 87-yard passing day in Green Bay.
The J.J. McCarthy Reality Check
Let’s look at the numbers. They aren't pretty, but they aren't a death sentence either. McCarthy started 10 games last year. He went 6-4.
He threw for:
- 1,632 yards
- 11 touchdowns
- 12 interceptions
- 57.6% completion rate
That completion percentage is what keeps Kevin O'Connell up at night. It’s tough to run a rhythm-based offense when your quarterback is basically a "splash play or disaster" machine. McCarthy flashed—God, he flashed. He became one of only six QBs under 24 since 2000 to notch four wins and 14 total touchdowns in their first eight starts. He’s in company with Mahomes and Stroud there. But the interceptions? Those were backbreakers.
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And then there’s the "availability" problem.
McCarthy missed time with an ankle injury. He missed time with a concussion. He ended the season dealing with a hairline fracture in his throwing hand. GM Kwesi Adofo-Mensah basically said this week that McCarthy is the guy they believe in, but they aren't handing him the job on a silver platter for 2026.
Who Is Vikings Starting QB for the 2026 Season?
Right now? Nobody.
Kevin O’Connell was incredibly transparent in his season-ending press conference on January 13, 2026. He wants a "deep and talented" room. That’s coach-speak for "we need a veteran who can actually play if J.J. struggles or gets hurt again."
Last year, the Vikings let Sam Darnold walk to Seattle. Huge mistake. Darnold went 14-3 with the Seahawks and took them to the top seed in the NFC while the Vikings were rotating through Carson Wentz and undrafted rookie Max Brosmer.
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Wentz made five starts in 2025. He was... Carson Wentz. He’d make a throw that looked like 2017 MVP-form and then immediately follow it up by falling over his own feet. Brosmer started twice but looked completely out of his depth, throwing zero touchdowns and four picks.
Why the 2026 Offseason Is Critical
The Vikings are currently about $36 million over the cap for the 2026 season. That makes things spicy. They can’t just go out and buy a Dak Prescott or a high-end starter. They’re going to have to find a "bridge" veteran on a budget.
Names already floating around the Twin Cities:
- Marcus Mariota: He played well for Washington when Jayden Daniels was out. He’s mobile, fits the scheme, and won't break the bank.
- Joe Flacco: The man refuses to retire. If the Vikings want a steady hand to mentor J.J., Flacco is the ultimate "break glass in case of emergency" option.
- Kirk Cousins: Yeah, I know. It sounds crazy. But Kirk has a weird contract situation in Atlanta, and if he becomes a free agent, a "one last ride" scenario in Minnesota isn't impossible, though it’s a long shot.
What Most People Get Wrong About the QB Room
People think the Vikings are "giving up" on McCarthy. They aren't. They’ve invested too much draft capital. But the NFL is a "win now" league. O’Connell and Kwesi are entering their fifth year together. They can’t afford another 9-8 season where the quarterback play is the anchor dragging the ship down.
McCarthy is only 22. He turns 23 next week. He’s younger than some of the guys coming out in the 2026 draft. The physical tools are all there—the arm strength is elite, and he’s much faster than people give him credit for (181 rushing yards and 4 TDs last year).
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The issue is the "top of the drop." KOC mentioned this specifically: McCarthy needs a repeatable throwing motion. When he gets pressured, his footwork goes to hell, and that’s when the "hero ball" interceptions happen.
If you are a Vikings fan, you should expect a massive training camp battle. J.J. McCarthy will enter camp as the "incumbent," but the team is going to sign a veteran who is capable of starting Week 1. They won't make the same mistake they did with Sam Darnold. They want a room where the floor is high, even if the ceiling is still being built.
Actionable Insights for the 2026 Season
If you're tracking the Vikings QB situation, watch these three things over the next few months:
- The Cap Casualties: Keep an eye on Brian O'Neill or Harrison Smith. The Vikings need to clear that $36 million deficit before they can even think about signing a veteran QB to compete with McCarthy.
- The Coaching Staff: Brian Flores is staying as DC (for now), which is huge. It means the defense will keep the team in games even if the offense is stagnant.
- Free Agency (March 2026): This is when we find out who is Vikings starting QB competition. If they sign a "backup" like Sam Howell, it's J.J.'s job. If they sign a "starter" like Mariota or a rejuvenated veteran, it's a wide-open race.
Ultimately, J.J. McCarthy has the character and the work ethic. The locker room loves him. Will Fries, the right guard, recently said he "absolutely loves playing with J.J." because of his leadership. But leadership doesn't fix a 57% completion rate. Only reps do.
The 2026 season will be the ultimate "put up or shut up" year for the young quarterback. Either he solves the accuracy issues, or the Vikings will be looking at the 2027 draft for a new face of the franchise.