So, what is the main reason behind this decision? According to NFL Network insider Mike Garafolo, O’Connell believes this gives the Vikings a better chance of coming away with a win at U.S. Bank Stadium. The head coach also made it clear that things could change, as the backup spot will be a week-to-week decision.

With that in mind, everything appears to be set in Minnesota for the start of a new season, one in which they will look to improve upon their 2025 results. As the weeks go by, it will be a matter of seeing whether McCarthy can eventually take on a more prominent role on the team.

O’Connell saw plenty during the preseason

The quarterback competition during the Vikings‘ 2026 preseason came down to dynamic efficiency versus young, developmental snaps, with Carson Wentz delivering an ultra-clean 9-for-11 passing performance for 92 yards in his main showcase against the Baltimore Ravens . On the other side, McCarthy had a mixed outing, going 4-for-7 for 30 yards while adding an 8-yard scramble.

Ultimately, Kevin O’Connell leaned on Wentz’s decade of NFL experience and steady decision-making in the pocket, opting for his composure under pressure, quick processing of complex defensive looks, and proven ability to protect the football as the decisive factors in earning the backup nod over McCarthy’s raw upside.

Looking to take control of the NFC North

In 2025, Vikings fans watched their team miss out on the postseason despite finishing with a winning 9–8 record and a five-game winning streak. Now, if they want to take control of the NFC North, they will need to get off to a strong start and look to rack up as many wins as possible early in the season.

• vs Green Bay Packers, September 13 – Week 1
• at Chicago Bears, September 20 – Week 2
• at Tampa Bay Buccaneers, September 27 – Week 3
• vs Miami Dolphins, October 4 – Week 4
• at New Orleans Saints, October 11 – Week 5

According to NFL insider Jason La Canfora, executives around the league have been telling him for weeks that McCarthy is unlikely to remain with the Vikings long-term.

With Week 1 approaching, a trade could still materialize before Minnesota takes the field. McCarthy’s current trade value is reportedly low because of an ankle injury, but that has not eliminated the possibility of a deal.

Vikings could still trade J.J. McCarthy before Week 1

Jason La Canfora reported that the Minnesota Vikings remain one of the teams to watch in the final days before the regular season, despite J.J. McCarthy surviving the roster deadline.

“Minnesota is another team to watch ahead of week 1, as executives around the NFL have informed me for weeks that former first-round pick J.J. McCarthy is unlikely to remain with the Vikings long-term. Despite McCarthy’s current trade value being considered low as he deals with an ankle injury, a move away from Minnesota could still come ahead of Week 1.”

The situation is particularly intriguing because McCarthy was once viewed as the quarterback who would eventually take over the franchise. Minnesota selected him No. 10 overall in the 2024 NFL Draft, but injuries and inconsistent play have prevented him from establishing himself as the team’s long-term answer.

The Vikings have since added Kyler Murray, who won the starting job, while veteran Carson Wentz has emerged as the favorite for the backup role. That leaves McCarthy in an uncertain position heading into the regular season.

Vikings could seek conditional compensation in J.J. McCarthy trade

If Minnesota does decide to move J.J. McCarthy, La Canfora believes the Vikings could structure the deal in a way that gives them an opportunity to receive additional compensation down the road.

“As part of any finalized deal, the Vikings are also expected to seek a conditional element in any deal that would increase their compensation, should McCarthy go on to play for his new team.”

For the Broncos, starting quarterback Bo Nix is not expected to play, leaving Jarrett Stidham and Sam Ehlinger to handle quarterback duties for the entire game. Stidham is expected to serve as the backup quarterback. Even if Ehlinger receives the majority of the work against Minnesota, it could simply be Denver allowing him to audition for another team.

Vikings head coach Kevin O’Connell shared that several players will be inactive for the game, noting that it remains undetermined who will start at quarterback among J.J. McCarthy, Carson Wentz, and Max Brosmer. O’Connell is hopeful McCarthy can get more reps, though he did not practice Wednesday due to an ankle issue suffered last weekend against Baltimore.

Vikings quarterback preseason performance

It has not been a good preseason for McCarthy, who has completed 52.9% of his passes—the lowest mark among the four Minnesota quarterbacks—for 115 yards.

Wentz, on the other hand, has been by far the most efficient quarterback over the last two games. He leads the team in completion rate (72%) and passing yards (173), while standing as the only quarterback on the squad to throw a touchdown.

Last season, McCarthy completed 57.6% of his passes for 1,632 yards, 11 touchdowns, and 12 interceptions, adding 181 rushing yards and four touchdowns across 10 games. While he posted a 6-4 record on the season, he faced a ton of criticism for his performance earlier in the year.

Expectations for Denver’s quarterbacks

If Ehlinger does not end up on the active roster as the third-string quarterback, he will presumably be a top target for Denver’s practice squad. Following a disastrous showing in the NFL AFC Championship Game—where he was thrust into action after Nix broke his ankle in January—Stidham was a player many Broncos fans wanted to see replaced. The announcement that he would have to win a competition against Ehlinger to hold onto his job was met with excitement from Broncos Country.

However, if this ever was a one-on-one competition, Stidham likely ended those talks with a sharp performance against the Atlanta Falcons in the preseason opener. He demonstrated terrific command of the offense, completing 9 of 15 passes for 131 yards and a touchdown pass.

“I want those guys feeling like they’re competing,” the head coach said Wednesday, via video from VikingzFanPage. “The philosophy around making our quarterback room competitive and allow that to rise to the standard of not only our team but our offense.“

O’Connell also added: “We want Carson feeling like he can do the things consistently that he can do, that we know exactly who and what he is, and we want J.J. feeling like I’m one step away, and I have to prepare like the starter anyway. It’s easy to say those things, but we wanted to have a room that forced it. We’ll see these next couple of weeks play out. We’re going to do what’s best for our team.”

McCarthy’s first preseason game

The Vikings already had their first test, earning a 13-10 victory over the New York Giants. McCarthy played 17 snaps, completing 4 of 7 passes for 34 yards. The Vikings scored no points on his three drives.

More tests ahead for Minnesota’s QBs

Kevin O’Connell still has two more challenges to help determine the order within his QB room. McCarthy, Wentz, and Brosmer will look to add snaps and potentially position themselves behind Murray.

Week 2 of the preseason will see the Vikings host the Baltimore Ravens at U.S. Bank Stadium on Saturday, August 22. Finally, Minnesota will travel to Colorado to face the Denver Broncos at Empower Field at Mile High on Friday, August 28.

A challenging schedule ahead for Minnesota

Kyler Murray will be tasked with leading a team that wants to emerge as a contender in the NFC North from the outset. It will not be an easy task, as Minnesota faces a challenging start to the season.

• Week 1, at Green Bay Packers – September 13
• Week 2, vs Chicago Bears – September 20
• Week 3, vs Tampa Bay Buccaneers – September 27
• Week 4, at Miami Dolphins – October 4
• Week 5, vs New Orleans Saints – October 11

One potential destination stands out above the rest because of McCarthy’s history. The Los Angeles Chargers are coached by Jim Harbaugh, the same coach who led McCarthy at Michigan and helped him win a national championship.

That connection could make Los Angeles an intriguing landing spot if the Vikings eventually make McCarthy available. The problem is obvious, though: Justin Herbert is firmly established as the Chargers’ starting quarterback, meaning McCarthy would initially have to accept a backup role.

Will Vikings trade J.J. McCarthy to Chargers?

It’s possible. According to a report by Adam Schefter, the Chargers have emerged as a logical fit for McCarthy because of his relationship with Jim Harbaugh. “The obvious fit will be the Chargers with Jim Harbaugh. They have Justin Herbert. So, bring him in there to help him get back into the right track.”

The former Michigan quarterback already knows Harbaugh’s system, coaching style and expectations, while Harbaugh knows exactly what McCarthy can bring to a football team.

That scenario would give McCarthy a familiar coach and a stable environment to continue developing without immediately being forced to become the face of a new franchise.

The decision immediately fueled speculation that McCarthy could be traded, particularly after the former No. 10 overall pick lost a QB competition he was expected to have a legitimate chance to win. With Murray now in control of the offense, questions are growing about whether the Vikings still see McCarthy as their long-term answer.

Kevin O’Connell, however, does not appear ready to close the door on McCarthy. The Vikings head coach delivered a strong message about the young quarterback’s development and made it clear that the Vikings still intend to support him.

Kevin O’Connell addresses J.J. McCarthy trade rumors

Kevin O’Connell emphasized that J.J. McCarthy remains an extremely inexperienced NFL quarterback, having played only 10 games in his career. The coach also pointed to the progress he has seen from the young passer during training camp.

“He’s still a guy that’s only played 10 games. He’s shown improvement off of last year, even in this training camp with the work he’s put in. Growing a little bit day in and day out. I’m still very excited to continue to get to work with him every single day and coach him. As he knows, he’s holding the pen on his story. We’re going to support him and try to help him continue to improve as a young player.”

Those comments are significant because they come at a time when McCarthy’s name is increasingly being connected to potential trades. Rather than publicly distancing himself from the quarterback, O’Connell stressed that Minnesota remains committed to helping him develop.

The phrase “he’s holding the pen on his story” is particularly interesting. O’Connell appears to be placing responsibility on McCarthy to determine what happens next through his own development and performance.

What happens next for J.J. McCarthy?

The Vikings now have an unusual situation. Kyler Murray will begin the season as QB1, but they still have a former top-10 pick with significant potential waiting behind him.

That could give McCarthy an important opportunity. If Murray struggles or suffers an injury, McCarthy could suddenly find himself back in the spotlight. Strong performances in practice could also change how the organization views his future.

At the same time, the longer McCarthy remains a backup, the more difficult it could become to keep him satisfied in Minnesota. Other teams looking for a young quarterback could eventually view him as an intriguing trade target.

For now, O’Connell’s message is clear: the Vikings are not publicly giving up on J.J. McCarthy. Whether that remains true throughout the 2026 season could depend on how the young quarterback responds to the biggest setback of his NFL career so far.

After Kevin O’Connell officially named Kyler Murray the Vikings’ starting quarterback, attention immediately shifted toward McCarthy’s future. The former No. 10 overall pick was expected to be Minnesota’s long-term answer after being selected in the first round of the 2024 NFL Draft. Instead, he has now been pushed behind Murray as the Vikings prepare for the 2026 season.

Adam Schefter has now delivered an ominous assessment that could dramatically change the conversation around McCarthy. The ESPN insider suggested that the young quarterback’s time in Minnesota could be coming to an end sooner rather than later.

Are J.J. McCarthy’s days with the Vikings numbered?

Schefter did not simply suggest that McCarthy could eventually be traded. He indicated that the quarterback’s departure from Minnesota now appears increasingly likely.

“It would seem at this point in time, that J.J. McCarthy’s days in Minnesota are numbered. It’s fair to assume that J.J. McCarthy in time, whether it’s before the final cut this year, at the trade deadline or after this season, will be moving on from Minnesota.”

That is a massive development for a quarterback who was drafted specifically to become the face of the Vikings’ offense. McCarthy missed his entire rookie season because of injury and then endured an uneven 2025 campaign, finishing with 1,632 passing yards, 11 touchdowns and 12 interceptions.

Now, instead of getting another opportunity to establish himself as QB1, McCarthy is entering the season as Murray’s backup. O’Connell has said McCarthy continues to develop, but the decision to start Murray makes his long-term position with the organization far less certain.

Will the Vikings trade J.J. McCarthy?

The timeline described by Schefter creates several possibilities. Minnesota could trade McCarthy before the final roster cuts, wait until the 2026 trade deadline or keep him through the season before moving him in the offseason.

The Vikings would likely have plenty of interest if they actually make McCarthy available. A former top-10 pick with significant physical upside could be an attractive reclamation project for another team looking for a young quarterback.

For Minnesota, however, the decision would carry considerable risk. Trading McCarthy after only a limited sample of NFL action would mean giving up on a player the previous regime invested heavily in.

At the same time, keeping him as a long-term backup could become increasingly complicated if the organization believes Murray is the better option to lead the offense.

The situation could therefore become one of the biggest quarterback storylines of the 2026 season. Murray has won the job, but the Vikings’ decision may have set in motion something much bigger: the end of J.J. McCarthy’s tenure in Minnesota.

The competition comes after Minnesota made a surprising decision to bring Murray to the organization following McCarthy’s disappointing first two NFL seasons. The former first-round pick has yet to establish himself as the franchise quarterback many expected, prompting the Vikings to create a true open competition instead of handing him the starting role.

There is also added pressure on O’Connell and the Vikings’ coaching staff. Minnesota moved on from quarterbacks such as Sam Darnold and Daniel Jones, both of whom have gone on to find success as starters elsewhere. That reality has increased the scrutiny surrounding the Vikings’ quarterback evaluation process, leaving little room for another misstep.

Kevin O’Connell reveals Vikings’ QB plan

The first major decision has now been made. Rather than naming an early frontrunner, Kevin O’Connell confirmed that both quarterbacks will receive opportunities to work with the starting offense throughout training camp.

“I feel very good about our plan. Both, Kyler and JJ, will take reps with the first team. They’ll also take reps with the second group. I think that gives different layers to the evaluation as well. We want an elevator at the quarterback position. In many ways, doing that in this system is kind of a do-your-job mentality, which is running the show, throwing completions and just showing the ability to execute our offense with comfort.”

Who will be the Vikings’ starting quarterback?

At this stage, nobody knows. Kevin O’Connell’s decision to split first-team reps is a strong indication that the competition remains completely open. Neither Kyler Murray nor J.J. McCarthy has separated himself enough to earn the starting role outright, meaning every practice and preseason opportunity could prove decisive.

For now, there is no confirmed QB1 in Minnesota. The Vikings appear committed to letting the battle play out naturally, with the hope that one of the two quarterbacks emerges as the clear leader before Week 1 of the 2026 NFL season.

Speculation intensified after both quarterbacks offered differing comments on their dynamic, with Kyler Murray addressing the QB competition with McCarthy. O’Connell firmly rejected talk of a rift, clarifying that the internal competition has been entirely professional.

“I want players who are smart, tough guys that love football,” O’Connell said, via ESPN. “Guys who — I don’t even want to say are great teammates — that need to attempt to be a great teammate. You need to repeat that time and time again because that process never stops.

“But it also doesn’t mean that everybody has to be smiling every day. When they speak to [reporters], I want them to be open. I want them to be honest, because I think it’s all part of having a transparent quarterback competition that allows these guys to truly demonstrate that they can consistently be the same guy every day and stack really good days. And when they do that, the team grows, and that’s what I ultimately care about — that position being an igniter of our team getting to what our ceiling may be for this year.”

Kyler Murray appears to be the QB1 frontrunner

Minnesota endured a turbulent 2025 campaign marked by a chaotic quarterback carousel. Nagging injuries consistently plagued the position, forcing the front office to aggressively reinforce the room this offseason

When the Cardinals moved on from Murray, the Vikings quickly secured the veteran on a cost-effective deal. The move was designed to push McCarthy while injecting immediate, proven talent into the offense.

Though management still views McCarthy as the franchise’s long-term future, Murray is the early favorite to start Week 1. His veteran experience makes him an ideal fit to maximize O’Connell’s explosive passing scheme.

A Murray start wouldn’t derail McCarthy’s development. However, if the veteran excels, an extended stay in Minnesota could significantly complicate the young quarterback’s clear path to the starting job.

Injuries remain a hurdle for McCarthy

Drafted in the first round in 2024, McCarthy was poised to contribute immediately and start for the Vikings before a severe knee injury sidelined him for his entire rookie season.

Subsequent setbacks in 2025—including ankle, hand, and concussion issues—have unfortunately fueled durability concerns among fans regarding his ability to remain reliably on the field.

Speaking to reporters during offseason activities, Murray explained that he sees part of his role as helping McCarthy develop while both players continue competing for the position.

“It’s been great. Obviously I know he’s a younger guy, so any way I can help him, obviously I’ll feel like I played seven years, now going on eight, so I’m considered a veteran even though I don’t see myself as that, give him any knowledge that he needs. We’re both competitors, and I know we both want what’s best for the team.”

Kyler Murray praises J.J. McCarthy amid Vikings QB competition

Kyler Murray also revealed that J.J. McCarthy has fully embraced the mentorship aspect of their relationship despite the obvious competition surrounding the starting role with the Vikings.

When asked whether the former first-round pick has been receptive to advice and communication, Murray gave a very direct answer. “Of course. He is overly acceptive and always communicating and asking questions and stuff like that. It’s been good.”

Even with the positive public comments, the pressure surrounding the Vikings’ quarterback room remains enormous. Minnesota entered recent seasons believing McCarthy could become the player to stabilize the franchise long term, but injuries and inconsistency created growing uncertainty.

For now, both quarterbacks continue presenting a united front publicly. But with expectations rising, the Vikings’ QB competition could quickly become a very controversial topic as McCarthy isn’t happy with Murray as his possible replacement.

The situation has naturally created tension around the organization, although McCarthy tried to downplay any awkwardness surrounding the internal competition for the QB1 job. Speaking about sharing the quarterback room with Murray, the young player compared the dynamic to a classroom setting rather than a hostile rivalry.

“Awkwardness? It’s just like the same feeling when you’re in high school and there’s another person on the other side of the room. That’s just kind of how it is. I wouldn’t say there’s any awkwardness. It’s just like two guys in a classroom. He sits on one side, I sit on the other side, and it’s the coach’s responsibility to teach us and coach us.”

Vikings haven’t named QB1 between Kyler Murray and J.J. McCarthy

Despite J.J. McCarthy’s calm public comments, the reality surrounding the Vikings’ quarterback situation appears far more complicated. Minnesota originally believed the former first-round pick could develop into the franchise QB capable of leading the team back into contention.

That belief became even more obvious when the Vikings allowed Sam Darnold to leave before he eventually won a Super Bowl with the Seattle Seahawks. Daniel Jones was also moved aside as the organization fully committed to McCarthy’s future.

But after multiple disappointing seasons filled with injuries and uneven performances, many around the league believe head coach Kevin O’Connell may have grown frustrated with the lack of progress. Bringing in Kyler Murray instantly changes the pressure level inside the building because Murray arrives with significantly more NFL experience and proven high-level production.

Justin Jefferson isn’t happy with QB situation in Minnesota

The quarterback uncertainty has also impacted the locker room. Star wide receiver Justin Jefferson has openly shown frustration at times with the instability under center, especially as his production has declined compared to previous dominant seasons. For a player widely viewed as one of the best receivers in football, the lack of elite quarterback play has become impossible to ignore.

Now the Vikings are hoping Murray could provide the spark needed to revive an offense that has struggled to keep pace with the NFL’s top contenders. Even with a lot of talent across the roster, they remain far from legitimate Super Bowl contender status unless the quarterback position stabilizes quickly. That reality makes the upcoming battle between McCarthy and Murray a crucial moment for the team.