y entered s coaching camp battling y for the workforce's beginning quarterback job.
McCarthy was not capable of beat out Murray in that competitors, which n. Now, there are questions on whether or not the 23-year-old signal-caller will even make Minnesota's closing roster.
McCarthy wasn't capable of play within the Vikings' closing preseason recreation y. His efficiency throughout the preseason have led many to conclude that 33-year-old veteran z might get the nod as Minnesota's backup quarterback over McCarthy.
Even in that state of affairs, the Vikings may maintain onto McCarthy as a third-string quarterback. However such a call will rely upon whether or not Minnesota desires to maintain him or just let the 2024 first-round decide hunt down a contemporary begin after a rocky tenure up to now with the Vikings.
Will McCarthy be reduce or traded? Right here's what to find out about his standing because the NFL's 53-man roster deadline approaches.
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Did J.J. McCarthy get reduce or traded? Newest Vikings roster updates
McCarthy at present stays a member of the Vikings. Minnesota has not but supplied any details about the gamers it will likely be releasing to make their roster compliant forward of the 53-man roster deadline at 6 p.m. ET on Sunday, Aug. 30.
That stated, s left McCarthy off his closing, 53-man roster projection for the Vikings, noting the choice was associated to McCarthy presumably shedding the backup quarterback job behind Murray to Wentz.
"McCarthy’s consolation (or lack thereof) with being QB3 may dictate his future in Minnesota," Lewis wrote.
Vikings coach Kevin O'Connell didn’t tackle the Vikings' plans for McCarthy following the preseason finale towards the Broncos, so the 23-year-old's future with the group stays unclear. O'Connell did point out that retaining 4 quarterbacks on the roster is a chance.
"I don’t assume it’s out of the query that we attempt to preserve all of these guys, however on the similar time, we obtained to do what’s greatest for our workforce," O'Connell advised reporters after the sport. "So we’ll work by means of that and that may undoubtedly be a part of the dialog as a result of there was a motive why we wished to have a deep quarterback room, and all 4 of these guys had their moments all through the final month and 6 weeks or so, and that’ll undoubtedly be part of the analysis as we go all through every place – ensuring that our 53 and the apply squad are precisely what we would like them to seem like."
J.J. McCarthy preseason stats
McCarthy endured a tough preseason in 2026. He accomplished simply 9 of 17 passes (52.9%) for 115 yards whereas being sacked twice taking part in seven drives throughout two video games.
Of McCarthy's seven preseason possessions, six led to punts. The opposite ended with a turnover on downs on the 1-yard line.
Vikings QB depth chart
McCarthy is listed because the backup quarterback on Minnesota's unofficial quarterback depth chart, however all indications are that Wentz beat him for that function through the 2026 preseason.
Beneath is a take a look at the projected pecking order throughout the Vikings' quarterback room:
- Kyler Murray
- Carson Wentz
- J.J. McCarthy
- r
The Vikings stored three quarterbacks to open the 2025 NFL season – McCarthy, Wentz and Brosmer. Minnesota may take an identical strategy in 2026, although the Vikings may additionally roll with simply Murray and Wentz with Brosmer on the apply squad ought to they transfer on from McCarthy.
J.J. McCarthy touchdown spots
McCarthy would presumably draw curiosity on the open market if the Vikings resolve to present him a contemporary begin. Right here's a take a look at a few of his high potential touchdown spots.
Los Angeles Chargers
Jim Harbaugh has been lukewarm in his evaluation of backup quarterbacks e and that i through the 2026 preseason. The 62-year-old coached McCarthy to a nationwide championship throughout their time collectively in Michigan and will relish an opportunity to get the younger signal-caller again on monitor behind Justin Herbert.
Miami Dolphins
The Dolphins ought to be wanting so as to add expertise to their roster in any method doable. Miami is giving s an opportunity to show himself in a beginning function, however including McCarthy as a fallback possibility can be a pleasant buy-low transfer. McCarthy may exchange s, who was s on eve of the 53-man roster deadline, because the Dolphins' backup and get a take a look at run if Willis can't succeed as a full-time starter.
Cleveland Browns
The Browns have loads of youth at quarterback in s, l and n, so maybe including McCarthy to combat for enjoying time behind n can be a bit redundant. Nonetheless, the Browns don't have a confirmed, high-level quarterback, so taking a raffle on McCarthy's upside as a former first-round decide may very well be worthwhile for Todd Monken.
Atlanta Falcons
The Falcons' competitors between . and a by no means fairly obtained off the bottom, as the previous spent many of the offseason recovering from a torn ACL. Tagovailoa wasn't very spectacular within the preseason, so Atlanta may think about concentrating on McCarthy so as to add extra youth and potential to the continued quarterback battle.
Detroit Lions
d on eve of the 2026 NFL season. They changed him with s, however including some youth behind f (31) may very well be an excellent long-term funding for the Lions. McCarthy might relish an opportunity to return to Michigan and hone his expertise in Dan Campbell's quarterback-friendly offensive system.
This text initially appeared on USA TODAY: m
