Former Vikings GM Kwesi Adofo-Mensah was the one who pushed to draft J.J. McCarthy with the 10th overall pick in 2024. However, the quarterback has had two underwhelming campaigns.
Last Friday, the team fired Mensah from his position. Now, according to ESPN’s Kevin Seifert, McCarthy might not be in Minnesota in the long run. He believes that after evaluating the past two years, they might decide to bring in a veteran quarterback to lead the offense.
“The best way to put this, based on what sources have said, is that all bets are off,” Seifert wrote on Friday. “If anything, these events increase the chances that the Vikings will take a big swing at finding a veteran quarterback who could start in 2026. The only thing more damaging than making the mistakes the Vikings made last season would be to repeat them this year.”
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Fans on social media shared their reactions to the Vikings potentially moving on from McCarthy.
“He’ll be a part of the package to acquire Burrow,” one fan commented.
“The only thing I hate about this is it took decades for them to try doing it the right way and get a QB on a rookie contract and build around him. This may scare them off from ever doing it again and bing in perpetual middle of the packdom for the rest of my life,” another fan said.
“Are we really going to do the retread QB thing AGAIN? I’m not sure McCarthy is the guy, but my whole life this hasn’t worked,” this fan wrote.
“I don’t mind either way. I think they can get a bridge quarterback, McCarthy will be fine (unless KOC doesn’t believe, then send JJ asap) if they can swing for a home run hitter/ top 5 guy, I’m also down for that,” another fan said.
“This organization has zero patience. McCarthy did not have the season we all wanted him to have, butt he was also 22 years old this year playing under a head coach who didn’t put him in the best spot to succeed until Week 14. KOC wants to be the ‘QB Whisperer’ but doesn’t want to develop one. Got it,” one fan wrote.
“Doing this is repeating their history. Just stop. No one has any guts inside TCO. Should be doing everything they can for JJMC,” this fan commented.
J.J. McCarthy missed out on his entire rookie campaign after suffering a torn meniscus during preseason. They signed Sam Darnold to a one-year deal as a replacement. He led the team to the playoffs, but was not given an extension. Darnold ended up signing with the Seahawks and is currently preparing to take on the Patriots in Super Bowl LX.
On the other hand, J.J. McCarthy returned as the starting quarterback this season. However, he suffered multiple injuries, limiting his playing time. In 10 starts, he recorded 1,632 yards and 11 TDs passing while the Vikings finished with a 9-8 record and no postseason appearance.
Justin Jefferson refuses to give up on Vikings quarterback J.J. McCarthy
Despite all the doubts and criticism, Vikings wide receiver Justin Jefferson continues to have faith in J.J. McCarthy.
On Wednesday’s episode of the “Up & Adams” show, he stated that the main goal of the offseason is to help develop the quarterback to achieve success on the field.
“As of right now, J.J. McCarthy is my quarterback,” Jefferson said. “For me, it’s to get him to where we need to go. It starts off right now in the offseason and get him better now. … J.J’s a really good quarterback. … He’s a great leader, he’s a great motivator.”
Will the Vikings decide to bring in an experienced quarterback to lead the offense this upcoming season?
Edited by Priyam Hazarika