Minnesota Vikings quarterback J.J. McCarthy has not had a promising start to his career. After missing his rookie season with an injury, the quarterback made two underwhelming starts before suffering a high-ankle sprain. While he returned to the field, he continued to disappoint and will now miss Week 13’s action with a concussion. He’s been historically inefficient, ranking 851st out of 852 quarterbacks in EPA/play since 2000, and he can’t stay on the field.
Vikings Rumors: 4 Quarterbacks That Could Replace J.J. McCarthy In 2026
It’s too early to give up on a first-round pick like J.J. McCarthy after just six starts, but the Vikings should have a better Plan B in 2025 than a washed-up Carson Wentz and an untested Max Brosmer. Assuming Brosmer doesn’t set the world on fire against the Seattle Seahawks, Minnesota will probably be in the market for a high-end backup who could start if McCarthy continues to disappoint. While they probably won’t draft anyone, they could pursue the following four players.
Note: For the sake of this article, we will assume Daniel Jones returns to the Indianapolis Colts in 2026, either via the franchise tag or a long-term extension.
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