NFL Insider Reveals Chances Of Minnesota Vikings QB JJ McCarthy Getting Benched
Despite a series of rough outings that have amplified questions about his readiness, the Minnesota Vikings are reportedly unlikely to bench second-year quarterback JJ McCarthy this season. The team appears committed to riding out the turbulence with its young signal-caller, a decision driven as much by a lack of alternatives as it is by a belief in his long-term development.
Following another difficult performance in the Vikings’ Week 11 loss to the Chicago Bears, McCarthy’s hold on the starting job has come under intense scrutiny. However, with the team’s playoff hopes dwindling, the organization seems poised to let McCarthy work through his issues on the field for the remainder of the season.
Minnesota Vikings JJ McCarthy: A Season Defined by Inefficiency
McCarthy’s performance metrics paint a grim picture. In the three games since returning from an ankle injury, he has thrown for just 541 yards with four touchdowns and five interceptions, completing only 50.5 percent of his passes. Among qualified quarterbacks this season, McCarthy ranks last in completion percentage (52.9) and near the bottom in yards per attempt (6.0).
Most alarming is his interception rate of 5.7 percent, which is a full 1.5 percentage points higher than any other quarterback in the league. These struggles have not gone unnoticed, leading to visible frustration from key players like star wide receiver Justin Jefferson during games. The initial belief that Minnesota’s strong offensive infrastructure—led by head coach Kevin O’Connell and a talented receiving corps—would provide a sufficient cushion for McCarthy has not materialized as planned.
No Viable Alternatives on the Roster
The Vikings’ decision to stick with McCarthy is heavily influenced by their current roster situation. The team’s backup is undrafted rookie Max Brosmer, who is considered to need even more development time. The only other experienced option, Carson Wentz, was placed on injured reserve after undergoing season-ending shoulder surgery in October.
According to reports from ESPN’s Jeremy Fowler and Dan Graziano, the Vikings have “no choice” but to continue with McCarthy and hope the coaching staff can guide him through his struggles over the final seven games. “The Wentz injury has really deprived them of any serious alternative even if they wanted to sit McCarthy to let him catch his breath,” Graziano noted. This leaves the Vikings in a position where their best, and perhaps only, path forward is to invest the remaining game reps into their young quarterback.
Implications for a Fading Playoff Hunt
With a 4-6 record, the Vikings are on the ropes in the NFC playoff race, sitting two games behind the San Francisco 49ers for the final wild-card spot. The team’s immediate future now hinges on McCarthy’s ability to make a rapid and significant turnaround. While the organization is focused on his development, the on-field results have put their postseason aspirations in serious jeopardy. For Minnesota, the final stretch of the season has become a high-stakes balancing act between developing a quarterback for the future and salvaging any hope of competing in the present.
