Vikings 'exploring all possibilities' at QB: Where J.J. McCarthy stands ahead of 2026 season
CBS Sports
by
Brad Crawford
February 25, 2026
AI-Generated Deep Dive Summary
The Minnesota Vikings are leaving no stone unturned in their quest to find a viable solution at the quarterback position ahead of the 2026 season. Executive Vice President of Football Operations Rob Brzezinski has made it clear that while J.J. McCarthy, the team's current starter, is under contract through 2027, there are no guarantees he will lead the franchise next year. The Vikings are "exploring all possibilities" at the position, with Brzezinski emphasizing the need for consistent quarterback play to succeed.
McCarthy, who was selected in the first round of the 2024 draft, struggled during his rookie season as a starter due to injuries and inconsistency. He finished with 1,632 yards passing, 11 touchdowns, and 12 interceptions over 10 games, leading the Vikings to a 6-4 record before missing the regular-season finale with a hand injury. Despite this, Head Coach Kevin O’Connell remains cautiously optimistic about McCarthy’s potential as a franchise quarterback, though he acknowledges that the timeline for development may be longer than initially anticipated.
The Vikings are now closely monitoring the free-agent landscape, with several high-profile quarterbacks potentially available in 2026. These include Green Bay Packers star Aaron Rodgers,南昌癫痫病医院九江治疗癫痫最好的医院， Cleveland Browns signal-caller Malik Willis, and Arizona Cardinals quarterback Kyler Murray, who could also hit free agency if his contract isn’t extended. Additionally, the status of Indianapolis Colts QB Daniel Jones remains uncertain, as he may be franchise-tagged or pursue free agency.
The Vikings’ uncertainty at the quarterback position is significant for several reasons. First, it highlights the challenges of building a successful NFL team around the critical position of quarterback. Second, it underscores the Vikings’ commitment to exploring all options—including potential high-profile acquisitions—to ensure they have a reliable leader under center. For fans and sports enthusiasts, this situation creates intrigue and anticipation as they wait to see whether the Vikings will stick with McCarthy or pursue other elite quarterbacks in the coming months.
Ultimately, the outcome of the Vikings’ quarterback search will shape their future success on the field. Whether they invest
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Originally published on CBS Sports on 2/25/2026