The Vikings had high hopes for quarterback J.J. McCarthy in 2025, but things didn’t unfold as they had planned. McCarthy struggled in his early games. Then, injuries hit hard—he rolled his ankle and faced setbacks with a concussion and a hairline fracture in his hand. These issues led head coach Kevin O’Connell to express the need for more competition at quarterback during his end-of-season press conference.
Just days later, the Vikings decided to fire General Manager Kwesi Adofo-Mensah. Now, Rob Brzezinski, the executive vice president of football operations, is stepping into the GM role. He mentioned the team is exploring all possible options for their quarterback situation. “We don’t have a lot of time, but we’re casting a wide net,” he said.
At the Scouting Combine, O’Connell was asked if McCarthy still held the team’s trust as their franchise quarterback. While he acknowledged some persistent optimism, he admitted the timeline had shifted since they drafted McCarthy in the first round back in 2024. This search for alternatives suggests a significant shift in the Vikings’ approach to their quarterback strategy for 2026.
In recent NFL surveys, over 60% of teams are reportedly considering restructuring their quarterback positions this offseason. This trend reflects a wider movement in the league to prioritize stability and performance at such a critical role. With that in mind, how the Vikings choose to navigate their quarterback strategy—especially in light of McCarthy’s performances—will be closely watched as fans and analysts alike ponder the franchise’s future.
As the Vikings make their decisions in the coming weeks, fans and experts will remain on edge, analyzing every move and pondering what it all means for the future of the team.
For more detailed insights into how teams are evaluating quarterback prospects this offseason, check out NFL.com.
