Minnesota Vikings QB J.J. McCarthy has had quite the weird start to his NFL career. That’s putting it conservatively.
McCarthy missed his entire rookie year after he tore his meniscus in the Vikings’ first pre-season game of 2024. Sam Darnold came in, and balled out. Minnesota chose to ride with McCarthy, and Darnold went on to win a ring in Seattle.
McCarthy’s play was shaky at most points in 2025 to put it nicely. The chance for development is obviously still there. However, the Vikings are in win-now mode, and Kyler Murray just so happened to be released from Arizona.
Murray signed a deal for the veteran minimum in the Twin Cities while still raking in big bucks from the Cardinals. This has seemingly pushed McCarthy back to the backburner in which he sat in 2024. This time, he isn’t injured. The Vikings claim up and down there will be a QB competition, although we know it’s one McCarthy probably won’t win.
Luckily for McCarthy, a familiar face was drafted in the 5th round of the 2026 NFL Draft by the Vikings. This could serve as a confidence booster for the former National Championship-winning signal caller.
Vikings Draft Max Bredeson, Former Michigan Teammate of J.J. McCarthy
GettyJ.J. McCarthy #9 of the Minnesota Vikings looks to pass against the New York Giants in the first quarter of a game at MetLife Stadium on December 21, 2025 in East Rutherford, New Jersey. (Photo by Elsa/Getty Images)
The Vikings drafted former Michigan FB/TE Max Bredeson at pick 159 in the draft in April. Bredesen played at Michigan with J.J. McCarthy from 2021 to 2023. Bredeson, a former QB in high school, even threw with the same high school QB coach as J.J. McCarthy before going to Michigan where he transitioned to TE.
Jacob Singer of SB Nation pointed out how this could be beneficial for McCarthy in his pro career.
“It’s a challenging situation for a young quarterback still finding his footing, but having a dependable and reliable friend like Bredeson matters in so many ways.
Familiarity breeds confidence, and for a quarterback who has faced scrutiny and setbacks, having a trusted voice and familiar presence in the locker room is genuinely valuable.
McCarthy knows how Bredeson works, how he communicates and what he demands of himself. That shared standard, the kind Bredeson built over years of proving doubters wrong, can be contagious.”
The familiarity with Bredeson could mean good things for McCarthy’s development. Not only does it give McCarthy familiarity, it’s another voice in the room for the kid.
As Singer says, having Bredeson around could certainly help McCarthy stay on the right mental track.
Former Minnesota QB Desmond Ridder Released by Packers
GettyLAS VEGAS, NEVADA – DECEMBER 16: Desmond Ridder #10 of the Las Vegas Raiders warms up prior to the game against the Atlanta Falcons at Allegiant Stadium on December 16, 2024 in Las Vegas, Nevada. (Photo by Candice Ward/Getty Images)
Josh Alper of ProFootballTalk broke the news.
“Tom Pelissero of NFL Media reports that [Green Bay] will be releasing Desmond Ridder. Ridder joined the team last December and did not play in any games. Ridder’s departure will leave four quarterbacks on the roster. In addition to Taylor, they will have Jordan Love, Kyle McCord and rookie Kyron Drones.
Ridder spent time with the Bengals and Vikings last year before finishing out the year with the Packers. His last regular season action came in six appearances for the Raiders in 2024 and the 2022 third-round pick made 17 starts for the Falcons in his first two NFL seasons.
Ridder is 322-of-503 for 3,544 yards, 14 touchdowns and 12 interceptions over all of his NFL action.”
Ridder was the 74th overall selection in the 2022 NFL Draft by the Atlanta Falcons. He has since spent time with a bevy of NFL teams.
- Atlanta Falcons (2022-2023)
- Arizona Cardinals (2024)
- Las Vegas Raiders (2024)
- Cincinnati Bengals (2025)
- Minnesota Vikings (2025)
- Green Bay Packers (2025-2026)
The move was made in order to free up a spot for another QB. The Packers would sign veteran Tyrod Taylor to enter the room behind starter Jordan Love.
Ridder could be likely to join an NFL team for their training camp in a bid to bring experience to a needy QB room. Of course, that probably won’t be the Vikings, as the seats are taken by Kyler Murray, Carson Wentz, J.J. McCarthy, and Max Brosmer.
Vikings’ J.J. McCarthy Could Have Secret Weapon