J.J. McCarthy Said by Some as at Risk for More Demotion

How does J.J. McCarthy as the QB3 sound? Some readers will bristle, others rejoice, and then some may be rolling their eyes. Regardless of where you land, there’s a simple reality: the idea is out there.

Check out what Mike Florio had to say over on Pro Football Talk: “Last week, the question was whether Vikings quarterback J.J. McCarthy would be No. 1 or No. 2 on the depth chart. This week, it’s fair to wonder whether he’s in a fight that will determine who’s No. 2 — and who’s No. 3.”

Some further thoughts from Florio as background on how McCarthy played against the Giants: “McCarthy handled three drives, generating zero points. The first and last were three-and-outs. One ended with an off-target throw on third down. The other ended with a sack.”

Could Carson Wentz actually leapfrog the kid?

J.J. McCarthy as the Possible QB3

So far, Mr McCarthy has been through quite a lot. Most notably, the knee injury, ankle injury, wrist injury, and concussion have constrained him to just ten games across a possible thirty four (alongside that added playoff game at the end of 2024 and the missed preseason action).

But then there’s been what has taken place on the gridiron rather than the infirmary. McCarthy has improved but still struggles. Nobody questions his arm talent, commitment, and/or potential. However, the young fella can struggle out there, creating a scenario where questions can arise. He can shutdown any and all speculation by sizzling but that’s not yet something that has occurred.

Rolling with Carson Wentz as the QB2 would be a bold, controversial decision.

The veteran passer is very well respected inside of TCO Performance Center. Coming in, Wentz’s experience, size, and brains impressed. But then he was so tough last year that it’s hard to find anybody around the team without good things to say about the No. 2 pick who is now a journeyman.

Signing him was with an aim of fully solidifying the QB3 job; after all, he’s the definition of low maintenance, meaning he can be thrown into the mix with zero preparation and still do well.

On Sunday, that QB3 job can be referred to as the emergency QB3 position. These two jobs sometimes get close to being a single circle on the Venn diagram but there should still be some room where the circles don’t overlap.

An emergency QB3 can only enter the game due to an “emergency.” What that means is that both of the QB1 and QB2 went down with injury. The emergency QB3 is dressed as an extra active player who can only be inserted for that specific scenario. Seeing the top pair of arms play terribly isn’t good enough reason to insert that QB3.

Alternatively, the Vikings could dress a trio of quarterbacks, leaving that “emergency” tag to languish unused. Doing so means not getting the extra body in uniform but it does come with flexibility. In theory, Kyler Murray and J.J. McCarthy could both bomb, prompting Kevin O’Connell to bench the top two guys for the gritty veteran.

Or, perhaps, the Vikings try to have the best of both words (have they ever tried such a thing?). List McCarthy as the QB2 and Wentz as the QB3. Proceed as if that’s the reality. But then what happens if Wentz gets included in the normal allotment of dressed players rather than being sent into the mix as the extra? That action would say a ton without any words being said.

Failing to use the emergency QB provision would leave the Vikings with the freedom to insert Wentz for whatever reason they desire. That would be an almighty litmus test that strains the public chatter about confidence in J.J. McCarthy to the limits, were that situation to ever arise.

In the scenario being considered, Murray could need to step away for a series to fix a minor issue. Designating Wentz as the QB3 who gobbles up one of the normal active spots would involve the freedom of inserting him in that moment, bypassing McCarthy along the way.

At the heart of the issue is whether Minnesota desires a higher ceiling or a higher floor. J.J. McCarthy has far more potential and possibly a lower floor. Carson Wentz has way less potential and possibly (probably?) a higher floor. Think a boom or bust candidate versus a sturdy game manager. Who among these two options best allows the Minnesota Vikings to compete?

J.J. McCarthy, 23, is going to look to send the idea about further demotion to the graveyard. He can do so by shredding a very impressive Ravens team in joint practices and then in the preseason.

Senior Editor for Vikings Territory & PurplePTSD . Twitter & Bluesky: @VikingsGazette. Email: k.joudry[at]vikingsterritory[dot]com. Canadian. Jude 1:24-25.