18 completions on 25 attempts have given Carson Wentz a far stronger preseason statistical case than J.J. McCarthy’s 9-for-17 line. The Vikings’ approach to second-team reps now puts a spotlight on just how far McCarthy has slipped since arriving as the No. 10 overall pick in 2024.
Wentz and McCarthy split second-team work during an 80-minute practice Tuesday, according to ESPN’s Kevin Seifert. That marked a clear departure from coach Kevin O’Connell’s Aug. 20 stance that McCarthy held the backup job, even as O’Connell insisted competition was always part of the plan. Kyler Murray, named the starter on Aug. 11, has taken every first-team snap since winning the quarterback competition. The rest of the reps have become a direct test: does Minnesota still see McCarthy as one play away from action, or just a depreciating roster asset?
| 2026 preseason statistic | Carson Wentz | J.J. McCarthy |
|---|---|---|
| Completions/attempts | 18/25 | 9/17 |
| Completion percentage | 72% | 53% |
| Passing yards | 173 | 115 |
| Touchdowns/interceptions | 1/0 | 0/0 |
These numbers aren’t just a quirk of small sample size. They mirror the concerns that have dogged McCarthy’s game since draft night. Accuracy issues have persisted through two preseason games, and he’s leaned too heavily on his fastball. His second preseason outing summed up his summer: a 50-yard strike to Tai Felton after escaping pressure, then, four plays later, an overthrow to Myles Price on a wide-open fourth-and-goal.
Coaches can’t ignore those kinds of routine misses while building an emergency quarterback plan. O’Connell said the Vikings want both players to feel the heat of a competitive room.
“We want Carson feeling like he can do the things consistently that he can do, and that we know exactly who and what he is,” O’Connell said. “And we want J.J. feeling like, ‘I’m one snap away, so I’ve got to prepare like I’m the starter anyway.’ It’s easy to say those things, but we wanted to have a room that forced it.”
For McCarthy, the reality is harsher than O’Connell’s framing suggests. Wentz brings 100 combined regular-season and postseason starts, giving Minnesota a known floor behind Murray. McCarthy, with two years left on his rookie deal, has seen his on-field time described in reports as largely underwhelming, and injuries have repeatedly derailed his development. A meniscus tear wiped out his entire rookie year, and a high ankle sprain sidelined him while Wentz started five games last season.
Wentz’s 2025 campaign wasn’t flawless. He played through a shoulder injury suffered against Cleveland in Week 5, started two more games, then underwent season-ending surgery. Still, in his first three starts, he completed 69 percent of his passes, averaged 253 yards per game, and threw five touchdowns to two interceptions. Minnesota re-signed him quickly after free agency opened, a move that now looks less like veteran insurance and more like a contingency plan reshaping the depth chart.
The financial stakes complicate everything. McCarthy’s remaining 2026 salary of $1.075 million and all $3.775 million for 2027 are fully guaranteed, according to reports. Trading him would likely force Minnesota to eat a significant chunk of that money. That echoes the Dolphins’ quarterback cap debate, where every move is tied to salary commitments and roster construction.
Max Brosmer’s presence only muddies the waters further. With rosters set to trim to 53 by Sunday, McCarthy could be in real danger of missing the cut. Minnesota would almost certainly seek a trade before outright releasing a quarterback with guaranteed money left.
McCarthy’s next shot comes in the preseason finale against the Broncos. How much he plays will reveal whether the Vikings still view him as Murray’s backup or as a former first-rounder they’re ready to move on from.
