The Minnesota Vikings have a decision to make with J.J. McCarthy: either making him their man for another season or opening the starting job to competition in 2026.
Pioneer Press reporter Jace Frederick opined that the decision could come down to whether Brian Flores stays in Minnesota.
In a January 12 column, Frederick took inventory of the Vikings defense, which is facing the potential loss of Flores and a cast of veteran talent, including Eric Wilson and Harrison Smith.
Frederick argued that if the Vikings defense takes a step back, McCarthy would have more runway as a starter next season for a team that will have tempered expectations.
However, if Flores returns and the Vikings retain enough talent, the Vikings must sign a capable veteran quarterback as insurance.
“If Flores is back and Minnesota feels it again has the personnel to compete, then quarterback insurance — at minimum — must be acquired. You cannot punt on potential contention for a second straight season in the name of a single player’s development that might not bear fruit,” Frederick wrote. “When the time ultimately comes this spring to make a decision on the quarterback room, O’Connell and Adofo-Mensah should spend less time reflecting and more evaluating the other side of the ball
“If they again believe they have a championship-level defense, a move must be made under center, whether that’s through free agency or trade, regardless of the assets required to upgrade,” Frederick added. “When it comes to the future of J.J. McCarthy, perhaps it’s Flores who truly holds the keys.”
Vikings’ Kevin O’Connell Comments on JJ McCarthy’s Outlook Next Season
Following a Week 18 win over the Green Bay Packers to close the season, head coach Kevin O’Connell was asked if he was comfortable with making McCarthy his starter for the 2026 season.
O’Connell was non-commital.
“I think he’s improved throughout the season. I think he’s grown, like a lot of young quarterbacks do throughout the season. Today was his 10th start. I can’t wait to work with him in the offseason and absolutely look forward to the continued development and improvement,” O’Connell said. “I’m excited about where he’s ending the season and know that there’s some things we can really dive into as a group and J.J. and myself.”
It was far from the rousing support O’Connell had touted all last offseason and during the 2024 offseason when he called McCarthy the Vikings’ “young franchise quarterback.”
It was the right thing to say for the Vikings with free agency and the draft still ahead. After missing the playoffs by hitching their hopes to McCarthy, the Vikings and O’Connell cannot lose the locker room by shutting the door on any opportunity to improve the quarterback room.
“I look forward to the challenge of being the best version of myself for not only J.J., but this entire team, for sure,” he added.
NFL Insider Provides Vikings, Brian Flores Update
GettyBrian Flores is going to interview for the Baltimore Ravens head coach position
While Flores has emerged as the betting favorite for the Las Vegas Raiders and Arizona Cardinals head coach positions, he currently only has one interview lined up.
Pro Football Talk’s Mike Florio reported on January 12 that the Vikings are confident Flores will return if he does not land a head coach gig.
“As we understand it, the Vikings remain confident Flores will be back, unless he lands a head-coaching job. Of the eight openings, Flores has publicly emerged as a potential candidate, so far, only with the Ravens,” Flores wrote. “It’s possible, frankly, that the Vikings have a tentative deal with Flores, but that a decision has been made to not put pen to paper until he has exhausted all head-coaching possibilities.”
Flores’ ongoing lawsuit with the NFL may be impacting his candidacy. It would take a team willing to step out of line to hire Flores, which the Ravens would fit that bill after they decided to part ways with John Harbaugh.
Vikings’ JJ McCarthy Decision Hinges on Brian Flores After Playoff Miss