Minnesota Vikings head coach Kevin O’Connell announced on Wednesday, September 9, 2026, that Carson Wentz will serve as the team’s No. 2 quarterback behind Kyler Murray for the regular-season opener against the Green Bay Packers. J.J. McCarthy dropped to the third-string role on the depth chart.
J.J. McCarthy’s Demotion and Depth Chart Realities
J.J. McCarthy has fallen to third string on the Minnesota Vikings quarterback depth chart ahead of the team’s Week 1 matchup. The development marks a significant shift for the former Michigan football quarterback, who led the Wolverines to the 2023 College Football Playoff championship and went 27-1 as a starter at Michigan.
Following an offseason where Kyler Murray was named the starter on August 11 after winning a quarterback competition, McCarthy failed to secure even the backup job. McCarthy started 10 games for the Lions’ division rival, going 6-4 before being benched on August 12, and did not play well when given the opportunity to start in 2025. The move underscores the organization’s intent to avoid the quarterback instability experienced during the previous year, when the club let Sam Darnold and Daniel Jones walk out of the building to give McCarthy his shot.
Carson Wentz Secured as Backup Quarterback
Carson Wentz earned the primary backup role behind Murray for Sunday, September 13, against the Green Bay Packers. Wentz, 33, previously started five games in place of a banged-up McCarthy last season. During that time, he played multiple weeks while dealing with a left dislocation that tore his labrum and fractured the socket, though he later underwent season-ending surgery.
Kevin O’Connell Vikingsコーチは、Carson Wentzがキャリアを通じて100回近い先発出場経験があることに触れ、昨シーズン彼が限られた練習回数の中で、長年の経験を活かして貢献できたことを評価し、特にKyler Murrayを最大限に慣れさせることに重点を置くシーズン序盤において、バックアップのクォーターバックに求められるのはまさにそうした能力であると述べた。
O’Connell described the backup designation as a “week-to-week” matter rather than a permanent season-long plan, stating that this gives them the best chance to win this Sunday. O’Connell suggested that Wentz’s experience makes him the better backup right now, though he insisted the Vikings will continue to work on developing McCarthy, noting that J.J. McCarthy will still get a bunch of great work.
Future Outlook and Roster Composition for Minnesota
Despite the demotion, the Vikings retain McCarthy under his four-year, $21.8 million guaranteed rookie contract. From the moment Murray signed a one-year deal in Minnesota, it was presumed he would start, and the club further signaled McCarthy’s short leash by re-signing Wentz.
Kevin O’Connell Vikingsコーチは、J.J. McCarthyが依然としてチームにエネルギーをもたらす存在であり、その特性は不変であると述べた。また、彼はまだ若く、今後も多くの経験を積む機会があるため、日々共にトレーニングし、さらなる成長を見られることに期待しているとし、限られた練習回数の中で彼が準備を整え、バックアップとして最善の選択肢になると判断した際には、当然その役割を任せたいと語った。
Minnesota carried four quarterbacks on its roster before moving Max Brosmer to the practice squad. The finalized quarterback depth chart for the season opener is as follows:
- Kyler Murray
- Carson Wentz
- J.J. McCarthy
- Practice squad: Max Brosmer