Fascinating rumor from the NFL Scouting Combine doesn’t bode well for the future of Vikings QB J.J. McCarthy
Things don’t sound great for the young quarterback.
The future for the Minnesota Vikings at quarterback is a fascinating one that could have many answers.
We know that head coach Kevin O’Connell has gone on record stating that he wants a legitimate quarterback competition in training camp after the struggles of first-time starting quarterback J.J. McCarthy. What we don’t know is how serious that competition is going to be.
They can go the route of paying a Malik Willis, who would immediately be the guy due to the massive commitment the Vikings would have to give him. Interim general manager Rob Brzezinski could also go the route of a veteran like Kirk Cousins or Geno Smith, who can start, but won’t be a long-term solution at the position. Then there is the third option, where they make a massive trade for a player like Anthony Richardson.
J.J. McCarthy’s future in serious doubt with latest rumor
At the NFL Scouting Combine, there are a lot of rumors that surface. With all the talking that goes on with NFL front offices and agents, some of those come to fruition over the next two months. What NBC Sports’ Matthew Berry has heard in Indianapolis casts a major shadow on McCarthy’s future.
“One name that I’ve heard that I know they’re not super interested in is J.J. McCarthy,” said Berry. “They’re going to continue to coach him up. But I’d be surprised if there isn’t serious competition for J.J. McCarthy next year as the starting quarterback for the Vikings, based on what I’m hearing.”
The Vikings being out on McCarthy would be somewhat surprising, but not completely out of left field. O’Connell laid the groundwork for that exact scenario in September of 2024.
“I think it’s important to understand that every single one of these guys is on a journey, a very difficult journey, that they need the support, they need the teammates around them. They need the systems in place to ultimately try to maximize who they are and what their potential is, because you’re still drafting players rich off of potential. And then everything that happens from that moment to when that potential becomes is really on the organization, if you’ve got the right guy that you’re bringing in,” said O’Connell.
If that ends up being the case, what will they end up doing to get a starting quarterback? Berry has heard some interesting things from that perspective as well.
“I heard that Kyler Murray is not on Minnesota’s radar,” Berry added. “Really wouldn’t be surprised to see him with the New York Jets. As for Minnesota, I’ve heard a bunch of different things. Heard some people say they’re kind of interested in Geno [Smith] if he gets released. Heard maybe a reunion with Kirk Cousins [as well].”
Murray doesn’t make a ton of sense for the Vikings. His skill set, plus his injury history and short stature, are an issue for O’Connell and how he runs his offense. Both Smith and Cousins make a lot of sense, and the latter has been mentioned multiple times. Smith is an intriguing one, especially coming off of a disastrous season with the Las Vegas Raiders. It wasn’t his fault that the Raiders were as abysmal as they were, but it is fair to say that he didn’t elevate them enough.
The Vikings’ options at quarterback aren’t fantastic, and their decision will impact the next five years of Vikings’ football.
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