The Minnesota Vikings will start JJ McCarthy against the Green Bay Packers in Week 18 before immediately beginning an offseason search to bolster the quarterback room.
Dianna Russini of The Athletic reported Saturday, January 3 that the team intends to explore its options at QB this winter/spring. But the Vikings don’t plan on dumping McCarthy, who will play the third season on his four-year rookie contract next year. That deal also contains a fifth-year team option for 2028.
“The Vikings were looking for emphatic proof this season that [McCarthy is] the long-term answer, and because of a series of injuries, they never got it,” Russini wrote. “Over the next few months, sources say, Minnesota plans to explore established options via trade or free agency to strengthen its quarterback room.”
McCarthy has shown flashes of leadership and dual-threat talent, though he has also appeared unplayable at times and four serious injuries in his first two NFL seasons have led to just 10 total starts and stunted development due, at least in part, to limited opportunity.
Minnesota faces a tough salary cap situation next season (currently $38.3 million in the red), and McCarthy is cost-controlled for another two or three years. As such, the best path forward probably isn’t spending huge on a trade for someone like Kyler Murray of the Arizona Cardinals.
Putting pressure on McCarthy to improve and creating option for the offense beyond him at reasonable cost might lead Minnesota to a trade for Mac Jones of the San Francisco 49ers or a run at Green Bay Packer backup Malik Willis in free agency.
But if making McCarthy into the player they hoped he would become is the Vikings’ ultimate goal, then signing Russell Wilson to a one-year contract this spring is a potential path forward.
Jaxson Dart Offers Strong Endorsement of Russell Wilson as Teammate, Mentor
GettyNew York Giants quarterback Russell Wilson.
Wilson navigated a similar situation with the New York Giants this season, beginning the year as QB1 and showing he still has starting-caliber talent in the tank before losing the job to rookie Jaxson Dart.
However, Dart detailed to Ian Rapoport of NFL Network the kind of teammate and mentor Wilson has been to him during his first year in the league, which could prove ideal for McCarthy entering his third season in Minnesota.
“From his perspective, losing the starting job was a hard thing to do, but he was the first person to reach out to me after I talked to the coaches about it, just telling me he’s got my back,” Dart said. “From the moment I got here, Russ has been nothing but just an amazing person, a great teammate, a really good mentor. He really cares about football, like he has an obsession, an addiction to the game. He just wants to win, and he’ll do whatever that takes as a teammate.”
Vikings Likely Inclined to Start Next Season With JJ McCarthy as QB1
GettyMinnesota Vikings quarterback JJ McCarthy.
If McCarthy can’t stay healthy this season, or if he simply proves incapable of playing winning football consistently during his age-23 campaign, the Vikings will then be in a position to decline his fifth-year option and consider a monster swing in free agency or via a trade.
Minnesota may turn away from McCarthy early in 2026 if he sustains injury or struggles. In that case, a player like Jones or Willis might be a better option than Wilson because of what they can offer toward immediate winning as well as a potential longterm solution under center.
But considering the No. 10 overall pick the Vikings invested in McCarthy, one more real go of it as QB1 to begin next season is probably a safe bet. In that case, Wilson and his 10 Pro Bowls and one Super Bowl title worth of experience becomes among the strongest options headed to free agency in March.
10-Time Pro Bowl QB Emerges as Vikings’ Option Amid McCarthy Uncertainty