New J.J. McCarthy Rumors Reveal Why Vikings Decided Against Trade, Release Ahead of 2026 NFL Season
Bleacher Report • • sports
Key Points:
- The Minnesota Vikings retained quarterback J.J. McCarthy on their roster partly due to contract guarantees, as cutting him would have obligated the team to pay $4.85 million under NFL rules preventing early renegotiation of drafted players' contracts.
- McCarthy, the Vikings' 10th overall pick in the 2024 NFL draft, has had an injury-plagued and inconsistent start to his career, missing his rookie season and posting modest stats in 10 starts during 2025.
- The Vikings signed Kyler Murray to compete at quarterback, who eventually won the starting job, pushing McCarthy to a potential third-string role behind Murray and veteran Carson Wentz.
- Despite speculation about McCarthy's future with the team, the Vikings kept him on the 53-man roster, though his status as QB3 suggests they may consider trading or releasing him before his contract ends in 2027.
