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Minnesota Vikings QB J.J. McCarthy will have to edge out Kyler Murray and Carson Wentz if he wants to be the starter in Week 1 this upcoming 2026 NFL season.
McCarthy put together a 61.8 overall PFF grade during the 2025 season, placing 35th out of 43 qualified quarterbacks. His passing grade was 60.1, ranking 35th at the position.
Across 1,632 snaps played and 291 dropbacks, he totaled 1,632 passing yards with 11 touchdowns and 12 interceptions. He mixed in 19 big-time throws but was also charged with 15 turnover-worthy plays.
Moreover, McCarthy’s average depth of target was 9.5 yards, while he held the ball for an average of 3.01 seconds before throwing. He contributed on the ground as well, picking up 156 scramble yards and scoring four rushing touchdowns, which helped him earn a 71.6 rushing grade, good for 14th among 30 qualified quarterbacks.
After a rollercoaster 2025 season, the Vikings are forcing McCarthy to earn the job, and Kevin Seifert of ESPN shared what head coach Kevin O’Connell said regarding the latest on the young QB’s efforts to do just that.
“Kevin O’Connell said that J.J. McCarthy is back in Minnesota after spending the early part of the offseason training in California, and has been in the building most days working out in the weight room,” Seifert wrote on March 30 on X.
Kyler Murray Expected to Win Vikings QB Job
After re-signing Wentz, who played a few games in 2025 before suffering his season-ending shoulder injury, former Vikings linebacker Ben Leber put out his QB depth chart for the team on March 19. To the surprise of many, he had Wentz at the top over Murray and McCarthy.
Nonetheless, he did catch flak for it, but during his appearance on KFAN on March 23, Leber doubled down on this stance, noting that the Vikings’ offense would look better with Wentz. However, Leber noted that he expects Murray to be the starter in Week 1.
“Carson, to me, barring any sort of injury, and I think that we all were sort of wowed by his three weeks coming into this team and then having to take over the team and, like, ‘Damn, this guy can actually kind of sling it.’” Leber said. “He can actually play. Our offense is actually kind of efficient. [The Vikings were] moving the ball. We’re much more explosive. We’re getting the ball down the field.
“The whole offense is opened up. We don’t have to negate middle-of-the-field throws because J.J. McCarthy can’t make those. We can use the whole field with Carson Wentz. So, as of today, mid-March, I think Carson Wentz is a better fit for this offense. Do I think Kyler Murray is going to win out? Yes. I do think that on opening day it’s going to be Kyler Murray.”
Can Carson Wentz Edge Out Kyler Murray, J.J. McCarthy?
Murray arrived in Minnesota after being cut by the Arizona Cardinals. As a result, he’s looking for a fresh start with the Vikings and likely wants to be O’Connell’s next success story after working with Sam Darnold and Daniel Jones.
Nonetheless, Leber believes that with how little the Vikings are paying all three QBs, the team needs to go with the best player who shows out during OTAs, minicamp, training camp, and the preseason.
“It has to be a true competition,” Leber added. “And I do not think, especially with the money that you’re paying these quarterbacks, that you have to anoint anybody, right? If Carson ends up being the best quarterback through OTAs, minicamp, and the early parts of training camp, I think you play the guy. You start him if he’s truly winning a competition.
“I know a lot of people would get upset if Kyler was the backup quarterback to start the season, but I would completely understand if we’re watching minicamp and training camp and see that this guy is good when he can scramble, but he can’t stay within the offense.”
Eduardo Razo Eduardo Razo is a sports writer for Heavy.com, covering the NFL, MLB, and college football. He has previously covered the NFL, NBA, NHL, and MLB for NBC Sports Washington and NBC Sports Bay Area & California, and has freelanced for PSG Talk, covering Paris Saint-Germain. He also worked as an editor at Athlon Sports, focusing on MLB and the NFL. More about Eduardo Razo
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