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The Minnesota Vikings are likely to be in the quarterback market this offseason. If J.J. McCarthy’s performance didn’t convince the Minnesota front office, perhaps his inability to stay healthy could lead them to consider different options.
McCarthy didn’t play the second half of the Vikings’ 16-13 win over the New York Giants on December 21 at MetLife Stadium. The Vikings’ starting signal-caller injured his right hand late in the second quarter against New York and was ruled out at halftime.
This is the latest injury that McCarthy has dealt with in his young NFL career, which prevents him from being out on the field. Since the Vikings selected McCarthy with the No. 10 pick in the 2024 draft, injuries have consistently disrupted his career.
He sat out his entire rookie season after tearing the meniscus in his right knee. This season, a right ankle sprain sidelined him for five games, and a concussion added another missed game. With a quick turnaround, it will be interesting to see if he plays the Christmas Day game against the Detroit Lions.
Nonetheless, CBS Sports’ NFL Insider Jonathan Jones floated a couple of names, suggesting that the Vikings will be in on a quarterback this offseason.
“The Minnesota Vikings will absolutely need to find a veteran quarterback option for 2026,” Jones said on the December 21 edition of “CBS Sports HQ.“ “They could go a number of ways, and I think that they’re going to inspect every avenue. You could talk about Tua [Tagovailoa], Kyler [Murray], Daniel Jones, or a number of guys who likely will be available that the Minnesota Vikings will look to have a true quarterback competition in training camp, a true one.”
Vikings to Have True QB Competition in 2026
Furthermore, Jones states that the Vikings plan to run a genuine quarterback competition for the 2026 NFL season and don’t intend to simply pursue a veteran halfheartedly.
“That’s why they tried to bring back Sam Darnold, but they didn’t, and J.J. McCarthy going into camp, there was no doubt that he was going to start Week 1 so long as he was healthy,“ Jones added.
“That’s not going to be the case and cannot be the case in 2026, no matter that he was seemingly playing well until the hand injury. The fact is your best ability is, of course, your availability, and he has not been available to this team.”
Kevin O’Connell Talks J.J. McCarthy Injury
Vikings head coach Kevin O’Connell confirmed that X-rays on McCarthy’s right hand showed no fracture, according to AP News. It is still unclear if McCarthy will be able to suit up for the final two games of the season.
“Obviously, the hand, there’s a lot going on there, so I don’t want to speculate one way or the other,” O’Connell said after the victory (h/t AP News). “Just crossing our fingers that we’ll have him back out there…
“It is unfortunate. He’s looked like he’s really found a place of decisiveness, ownership of the offense. … It’s a bummer just because I’m having a blast coaching him, and I’m seeing the growth of a young player getting the opportunity to actually go out there and grow and develop.”
Eduardo Razo Eduardo Razo is a sports journalist covering the NFL for Heavy.com. He previously covered the league for NBC Sports Washington and NBC Sports Bay Area & California, and has contributed as a freelance writer for The Sporting News. He also served as an editor for Athlon Sports and Heavy Sports focusing on MLB and the NFL. More about Eduardo Razo
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