Vikings Quarterback Depth Chart
Vikings Name Carson Wentz Backup and Relegate J.J. McCarthy to Third String
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Key Points
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McCarthy is expected to spend much of his practice time running the scout team, particularly in weeks when Minnesota faces a mobile opposing quarterback.
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McCarthy’s availability problems included ankle, hand and head injuries in 2025, and he also missed Minnesota’s preseason finale after suffering an ankle injury against Baltimore—giving Wentz additional practice repetitions.
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In his five starts for Minnesota last season, Wentz completed 65.1% of his passes for 1,216 yards, six touchdowns and five interceptions before undergoing season-ending shoulder surgery.
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McCarthy said he still views himself as a starting-caliber NFL quarterback: “Yes, I believe so. And I’m always gonna have that confidence in myself,” while adding that his immediate priority was being ready when his number is called.
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Although Minnesota can technically move on from McCarthy at any time, a release would involve different salary-cap consequences depending on its timing; the report says cutting him in 2027, when he enters a contract year, would leave the Vikings with an approximately $3 million cap hit. McCarthy is set to earn roughly $5 million this season.
The Minnesota Vikings demoted J.J. McCarthy to third-string quarterback on Wednesday, elevating Carson Wentz to backup behind starter Kyler Murray ahead of Sunday's season opener against Green Bay. Head coach Kevin O'Connell cited Wentz's Heavy nearly 100 career starts and experience as the team's "best chance to win," while McCarthy, the 10th overall pick in 2024, will spend most practice time running the scout team.
McCarthy missed his entire rookie season with a torn meniscus, then started just 10 games in 2025 while battling ankle, hand, and head injuries. His 6-4 record included 1,632 passing yards, 11 touchdowns, and 12 interceptions. Despite the demotion, McCarthy said he still views himself as a starting-caliber NFL quarterback: "Yes, I believe so. And I'm always gonna have that confidence in myself." MLive
McCarthy's Development Stalled Amid Recurring Injuries
McCarthy's path to stardom hit roadblocks almost immediately. He sat out all of 2024 after knee surgery, then returned to limited action in 2025 as Minnesota used Sam Darnold elsewhere. When McCarthy got his chance, ankle sprains, hand injuries, and concussion concerns kept him off the field. FanSided reports that the Vikings' preseason finale loss to Baltimore—where McCarthy suffered another ankle injury—gave Wentz critical extra practice reps the rookie never got.
For young quarterbacks, limited reps compound development problems. McCarthy struggled with timing, accuracy, and field processing across his 10 starts. The Vikings coaching staff apparently concluded that more practice time wouldn't fix these issues quickly enough. Wentz's five starts last season (65.1% completion, 1,216 yards, six touchdowns, five interceptions) showed he could step in reliably if needed.
Wentz Offers Veteran Reliability Over Unproven Upside
Carson Wentz enters his 11th NFL season with AOL roughly 100 career starts and previous experience filling in for McCarthy. O'Connell's decision prioritizes immediate wins over long-term development. A third-string demotion signals Minnesota's front office is protecting Kyler Murray's season and maximizing early-season success rather than rushing McCarthy back into game situations.
Wentz will handle scout-team duties for opposing quarterbacks during the week and dress as the backup on Sundays. McCarthy, meanwhile, will primarily run scout team looks, gaining reps only for specific game-plan situations—particularly when Minnesota faces mobile opposing passers. This split limits McCarthy's real-time game-day development opportunities.
Contract Economics Give Minnesota Flexibility to Move On
McCarthy's rookie contract provides the Vikings financial cushion to keep him benched indefinitely. He earns roughly Heavy $5 million this season with guaranteed money still owed. If Minnesota cuts him in 2027—his contract year—they'd absorb approximately $3 million in salary-cap penalties but gain full salary relief going forward.
The third-string assignment weakens McCarthy's trade value because other NFL teams lack current evidence he can perform reliably. Yet Minnesota's controlled cap situation means the team can afford to wait and reassess before making any final decisions. Whether he develops into a backup-quality starter or becomes a cautionary draft tale remains to be seen.
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