After missing the playoffs by betting on J.J. McCarthy in his first year as a starter, the Minnesota Vikings turn their attention to 2026 free agency as their 2025 campaign comes to a close.
McCarthy, 22, is expected to face more competition than he did last offseason, but whether it will truly be a competition comes down to how the Vikings pursue the upcoming free-agent quarterback class.
The Athletic’s Alec Lewis offered insight into the Vikings’ search for help at quarterback and foreshadowed a concerning development in play for McCarthy.
On Sunday, Jan. 4, Lewis added to a report from Diana Russini that “Minnesota plans to explore established options via trade or free agency to strengthen its quarterback room.”
“Little is off the table in terms of how aggressive the Vikings will be, according to multiple team and league sources,” Lewis wrote.
The Vikings must remain open-minded to how they build the quarterback room, but if they can land a proven veteran, McCarthy may take the back seat before training camp even starts.
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“Whatever the answers, the Vikings are going to be proactive in trying to lift the quarterback room to a playoff-caliber level. McCarthy’s role will hinge on what else is available, as well as his offseason growth in the relevant physical, mental and emotional areas that he himself cited Sunday evening,” Lewis added.
McCarthy went 6-4 as a starter this season, throwing for 1,632 yards passing, 11 touchdowns and 12 interceptions. However, in what should have been a developmental year, McCarthy was touch-and-go this season, missing seven games due to ankle and hand injuries and a concussion. He took himself out of the season finale against the Green Bay Packers after aggravating a hairline fracture in his right hand.
Read more: Vikings’ Justin Jefferson Gets Candid on JJ McCarthy’s Future
In his postgame news conference, head coach Kevin O’Connell was not outright in his answer to whether he is comfortable entering next season with McCarthy as the starter.
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