Will the Vikings Maintain the Same Quarterback Throughout 2026?
The Minnesota Vikings kick off their 2026 season tomorrow at home against divisional rival, the Green Bay Packers. The Vikings made major changes this offseason after a disappointing year that saw them miss the playoffs. Minnesota finished the season 9-8, and a late-season winning rally narrowly kept them from finishing last in the division. A brand-new general manager was hired, Nolan Teasley, who’s looking to bring Minnesota their first Super Bowl in franchise history and shock the NFL in 2026. The biggest changes, however, came at quarterback after a very controversial season.
Quarterback J.J. McCarthy was drafted to Minnesota in the 2024 NFL Draft, with the 10th overall pick. The former Michigan Wolverine won a National Championship in college, which helped his case for a top-10 pick. Despite this, his rookie season was a huge letdown, as injuries and inconsistent performances led to damaging losses. Through 10 starts, McCarthy finished the year with 1,632 passing yards, 11 touchdowns, and 12 interceptions. The small sample size was enough to turn Vikings fans against him, as it was clear he wasn’t ready for the NFL level. The Vikings also felt they needed a change and opted to trade for quarterback Kyler Murray from the Arizona Cardinals in the offseason.
Murray will be the Week One starter and is currently planned as the long-term starter. The former two-time Pro Bowler had a rollercoaster career with the Cardinals, spending all seven of his seasons in the league with the organization. Injuries also plagued him in 2025; he only started in five games. Arizona was ready to move on, giving the Vikings their new quarterback. However, the former Cardinal has a history of injuries throughout his career, creating a scenario where McCarthy can earn his spot back. The Vikings will also have quarterback Carson Wentz, who’s currently the backup for Murray. The 10-year veteran signed with the team last season and made five starts, throwing for 1,216 yards, six touchdowns, and five interceptions. He will now be another option for Minnesota if the new QB1 is injured or has a string of bad performances. The Vikings quarterback situation is one still worth monitoring, as whether they can maintain the same starter all season is up in the air.
