With J.J. McCarthy’s return from concussion looming, the Minnesota Vikings made a major roster decision heading into their Week 14 game against the Washington Commanders.
Minnesota already have John Wolford and Max Brosmer behind McCarthy, so the Vikings decided to cut ties with a quarterback they recently signed, Desmond Ridder. On December 2, the team announced that they have released Ridder from the practice squad.
McCarthy is on track to pass the concussion protocol this week and appears ready to start on December 7 against the Commanders. Vikings head coach Kevin O’Connell said on December 1 that McCarthy no longer has symptoms and only needs to complete a full practice to finish the final step of the protocol.
Furthermore, O’Connell expects that session to take place on December 3.
“Expecting, barring any unforeseen changes to where he’s at today, and hopefully having that Wednesday will allow him to have a normal, full week and likely be able to go in as our starter on Sunday,” O’Connell said (h/t Pro Football Talk).
Vikings QB J.J. McCarthy Needs to Impress Upon Return
It’s essential that McCarthy not only return for these last handful of games for Minnesota but also display some promise heading into the offseason. Many expect the Vikings to pursue a quarterback for the 2026 season to compete with McCarthy for the starting job.
With speculation over what the Vikings will do this offseason, ESPN NFL analyst Dan Orlovsky is urging Minnesota to pursue two names to improve the QB position and keep star wideout Justin Jefferson happy.
“The likeliest way that I think [the Vikings] can keep [Jefferson], at least, or make him happy is Daniel Jones or Mac Jones,“ Orlovsky said on the December 1 edition of “Get Up.” “That’s really the future in Minnesota. I think they’re going to have to bring some high-end competition in for J.J. McCarthy.
“The free-agent market is not going to be great. Daniel Jones will be a free agent. Mac Jones, I believe, is under contract for San Francisco, but could he be a trade target? The draft is not going to be great, and you’re not drafting a kid to bring in with J.J. McCarthy because then there’s two unproven young players. In relation to Justin, does Mac Jones get you happy? Does Daniel Jones get you happy?”
Vikings Need Improved Play From Their QB Play
The Michigan product likely knows that he has to perform better and build positive momentum for next season. With a quality quarterback potentially coming into the fold, he’ll need to win out the starting job because O’Connell’s offense needs a signal-caller to operate it and not lean on a game-manager type.
Former Vikings cornerback Patrick Patterson, now an analyst on CBS Sports, shared his thoughts on what’s wrong with the Minnesota offense in recent weeks.
“I believe right now just watching this team is the connection with the quarterback and the receivers like it’s almost hard to watch J.J. McCarthy overthrow receivers, throwing the ball in the ground,“ Peterson said on the November 30 edition of “CBS Sports HQ.“
“That is how this offense is orchestrated by quarterback play and also the running game as well… This team’s success predicates off the quarterback, and the quarterback right now is not giving them anything.”
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