So long as J.J. McCarthy stays healthy, the Minnesota Vikings appear all-in on the young quarterback for the next several seasons.
However, if health — knock on wood — remains an issue for McCarthy, the Vikings will need to load the quarterback room with talent capable of carrying a ready-to-win roster to the postseason.
Sam Darnold and Daniel Jones are the most recent castaways who have seen success after undergoing quarterback rehabilitation under Kevin O’Connell.
Who might be next to arrive in Minnesota?
According to Fox Sports reporter Eric Williams, the Vikings are an ideal landing spot for Arizona Cardinals quarterback Kyler Murray.
“Who doesn’t want to play for Minnesota head coach Kevin O’Connell? We’ve already seen the offensive guru help resurrect the pro careers of Sam Darnold and Daniel Jones. Why not make Murray his next reclamation project,” Williams proposed.
“Of course, the Vikings are rightly committed to getting the most out of first-round draft pick J.J. McCarrthy. However, the Michigan product has struggled to stay healthy. And Murray, with his athleticism and accuracy, would put up big numbers in that offense, throwing to the likes of Justin Jefferson, Jordan Addison and T.J. Hockenson.”
Vikings’ Backup Plans for McCarthy Failed This Season
While undrafted rookie Max Brosmer exceeded expectations in the regular season, the Vikings showed they are not willing to play Brosmer after continuing to trot out an injured Carson Wentz during a blowout Week 8 loss to the Los Angeles Chargers.
There’s a notion that the Vikings want to protect McCarthy’s confidence by not adding competition to the quarterback room. However, since being selected 10th overall in the 2024 draft, McCarthy understands it’s his job to lose in Minnesota.
The 22-year-old quarterback has shown the mental moxie of a grizzled veteran who thrives on adversity. Confidence does not seem to be an issue for him.
It may not be wise to play head games or plant any seeds of doubt with a starting quarterback, but neither is having zero options behind him on a roster that has high aspirations.
McCarthy’s final nine games with have heavy sway with how the Vikings approach their quarterback room for next season.
The Vikings’ pitch to retain Darnold and Jones as backups did not land, along with their bet on Sam Howell. Wentz proved to be Plan D, and that did not go well as Minnesota went 2-3 with Wentz under center.
The Vikings should make an effort to improve the backup quarterback spot in 2026 — and that might require adding a quarterback with upside talent like Murray.
Why is Kyler Murray Not Playing for Cardinals?
The Cardinals are at a crossroads with Murray.
Since Murray suffered a foot injury in Week 5, Jacoby Brissett has taken over and operated Arizona’s offense more efficiently than Murray. Brissett has gone 1-2 as a starter, but has helped the offense average 25.7 points a game. With Murray under center, the Cardinals averaged 20.6 points per game.
Murray is 2-3 as a starter this season, losing those three games by a combined five points.
However, after several weeks of quarterback debate in Arizona, the Cardinals placed Murray on injured reserve, requiring him to sit out at least four more games.
Murray remains one of the NFL’s top rushing quarterbacks, but amid a regime change in Arizona, the Cardinals have struggled to find success with him under center.
The Cardinals must make a decision on whether to recommit to Murray or release him before $19.5 million of his 2027 salary guarantees in March.
Like Heavy Sports’s content? Be sure to follow us.
This article was originally published on Heavy Sports
The post Vikings Deemed Ideal Destination for Pro Bowl QB appeared first on Heavy Sports.