At 22 years old, J.J. McCarthy still believes he’s the future of the Minnesota Vikings. But after six starts in the 2025 NFL season, the numbers don’t lie — and neither do the fans. On November 3, 2025, at Ford Field in Detroit, the Vikings lost their sixth game of the season, a 27-20 defeat that buried their playoff hopes under a mountain of missed throws, slow reads, and turnovers. McCarthy, the 2024 first-round pick, has yet to show the growth everyone expected. He’s not just struggling. He’s regressing. And the clock is ticking.
The Numbers Don’t Lie — Or They Do, But Only to Himself
By Week 9, McCarthy had thrown 11 interceptions against just 8 touchdowns. His completion rate hovered at 58.3%, the lowest among all qualifying starters. His adjusted net yards per attempt? A dismal 4.9 — worse than rookie QBs in 2015. “He’s not learning from his mistakes,” said one anonymous offensive assistant to Viking Territory on November 18, 2025. “He’s just replaying them in his head.” That’s the twist: McCarthy isn’t panicking. He’s overthinking. After a brutal second-half collapse against the Green Bay Packers at Lambeau Field on November 10, he told reporters, “I know I can do this. I just need to trust it.” But trust doesn’t fix a 12-yard scramble on third-and-17. It doesn’t fix a throw that sails 15 feet over the outstretched hands of Justin Jefferson.
Who’s to Blame? The Draft, the Decision, the Doubt
Two years ago, Minnesota Vikings general manager Kwesi Adofo-Mensah traded up one spot in the 2024 NFL Draft — from 203 to 202 — to snatch McCarthy from Michigan. The move stunned analysts. The Vikings had a chance to take Sam Darnold, who was available and had proven he could win in the NFL. They passed. They also allegedly turned down a trade offer from Aaron Rodgers, who reportedly wanted to join a team with a clear plan. Instead, they bet on a 22-year-old with a cannon arm but shaky decision-making.
Now, that bet is unraveling. Daniel Jones, who had the option to re-sign in Minnesota, chose the Indianapolis Colts instead — partly because he believed head coach Kevin O'Connell could develop McCarthy. That decision now looks like a costly miscalculation. “He thought J.J. was the guy,” said a source close to Jones. “Turns out, he was wrong.”
McCarthy’s contract is a silver lining: $2.775 million in 2025, $3.775 million in 2026. That’s chump change compared to the $40 million+ annual salaries of other starters. But money doesn’t fix performance. And with the Vikings likely to finish 5-12, the organization faces a brutal question: Is McCarthy the problem — or is the system?
The Coaching Dilemma: Patience or Pragmatism?
Kevin O'Connell, 39, has built a reputation as a QB whisperer. He helped develop Justin Herbert in Los Angeles. He turned Kirk Cousins into a Pro Bowler. But McCarthy? He’s not clicking. NBC Sports’ November 22 analysis called it “a textbook case of mismanagement.” “Only poorly managed teams persist in making evident miscalculations,” the piece read. The Vikings aren’t just stuck with McCarthy — they’re stuck with the narrative that they chose this.
ESPN’s November 25 overreaction piece offered a grim prognosis: “Unless the final six games look a heck of a lot different than the first six, Minnesota is going to have to look at every potential option going into 2026.” That includes undrafted rookie Max Brosmer, who’s more raw than McCarthy. It includes trade targets like Kyler Murray of the Arizona Cardinals. It even includes the possibility of drafting a new QB in 2026 — and admitting that Adofo-Mensah’s draft evaluation may have been fatally flawed.
The Ripple Effect: A Franchise at a Crossroads
The Vikings’ front office, headquartered at the Twin Cities Orthopedics Performance Center in Eagan, Minnesota, is now in damage control mode. Fans are calling for McCarthy’s benching. Analysts are comparing him to Josh Rosen, Trey Lance, and Zach Wilson — all high picks who never panned out. Even the team’s broadcast team has stopped using his name in highlight reels.
What’s worse? The organization has no credible backup plan. Brosmer is a practice squad arm. The 2026 draft class is deep, but drafting a QB in the top 10 means abandoning any hope of contending in 2026. Trading for Murray? That would cost two first-round picks and a massive salary hit. And Rodgers? He’s retired. The window for a quick fix is closing.
McCarthy’s confidence may be intact — but the franchise’s credibility isn’t. If the Vikings lose their seventh game — which they did on November 24 against the Chicago Bears — they’ll be mathematically eliminated from the playoffs. That’s not just a season lost. It’s a draft position lost. It’s a culture lost. And it’s a question mark hanging over the next decade of leadership.
What’s Next? The Offseason Will Decide It All
The Vikings have six games left in 2025. Their next opponent? The Arizona Cardinals — a team led by Kyler Murray, whose mobility and decision-making are the exact opposite of what McCarthy struggles with. The contrast is brutal. If McCarthy falters again, the pressure on O’Connell and Adofo-Mensah will become unbearable. By January, the Vikings’ front office will have to answer three questions:
- Do we keep McCarthy as the starter in 2026?
- Do we trade for a proven QB — even if it costs us our future?
- Do we admit we drafted wrong, and start fresh with a new GM and new QB coach?
There’s no middle ground anymore. The Vikings can’t afford another year of waiting for “it to click.” That’s the reality. And McCarthy, for all his grit, is running out of time.
Frequently Asked Questions
Why hasn’t J.J. McCarthy improved after six starts?
McCarthy’s struggles stem from chronic overthinking, poor pre-snap reads, and inconsistent footwork — issues that haven’t been corrected despite coaching. Unlike other young QBs who improve through game reps, McCarthy’s mistakes compound under pressure. Analysts note his completion rate has dropped 4% since Week 3, and his interception rate has doubled. He’s not learning from film sessions the way O’Connell’s past quarterbacks did.
Could Max Brosmer be a better option than McCarthy?
Brosmer, an undrafted rookie, has shown flashes of arm strength but lacks experience and game awareness. He completed just 52% of passes in preseason, with three picks in limited action. While he’s more athletic than McCarthy, he’s also less polished. Most insiders believe Brosmer isn’t ready — but he’s the only viable alternative on the roster. Bench McCarthy, and the Vikings risk exposing a true rookie to NFL defenses.
Why didn’t the Vikings draft a different quarterback in 2024?
The Vikings passed on Sam Darnold and Daniel Jones, both of whom were available at pick 202. They also reportedly turned down a trade offer from Aaron Rodgers, who wanted to join Minnesota. Front office sources say McCarthy’s ceiling was deemed higher — but his floor has proven dangerously low. With no proven QBs on the roster, the team had no safety net when McCarthy struggled.
Is Kwesi Adofo-Mensah in danger of losing his job?
Yes. If the Vikings finish 5-12 and miss the playoffs for the third straight year, Adofo-Mensah’s draft record — particularly the McCarthy pick — will be under intense scrutiny. His 2024 draft class has been called the worst in franchise history. With no credible QB plan for 2026, ownership may look for a new GM who can rebuild the roster from the quarterback position up.
Could the Vikings trade for Kyler Murray in 2026?
It’s possible. Murray is under contract through 2026, but the Cardinals are rebuilding and may seek a package of two first-round picks and a second-rounder. For Minnesota, that would mean sacrificing future assets — but it would also end the McCarthy experiment immediately. If the Vikings believe they’re one QB away from contention, Murray is the only proven starter available. The cost is high, but the alternative — another year of McCarthy — may be costlier.
What does this mean for the future of the Vikings franchise?
This isn’t just about one quarterback. It’s about leadership, culture, and long-term planning. If the Vikings continue to misjudge talent at the most important position in football, they risk becoming a perennial also-ran. The 2025 season has exposed deep flaws in their evaluation process. Fixing it will require more than a new QB — it may require a new front office.
