What's Old Will Be New Again For the Vikings Next Year

With five games left in the season, the Minnesota Vikings have not gained clarity on their quarterback of the future and starter for next year. They didn’t bring in competition for J.J. McCarthy during training camp; there was no question they were starting the former top-10 pick.

However, McCarthy has suffered multiple injuries and struggled immensely when on the field, accumulating six passing touchdowns to 11 interceptions, and completing a paltry 54.1% of his passes. Max Brosmer, the undrafted free agent thrust into the starting role, looked overwhelmed in his one appearance, posting a QBR of 5.6. Carson Wentz, a pending free agent, was middling at best before suffering a season-ending injury.

Minnesota lacks both upside and floor at the most crucial position on the field. They are unlikely to spend capital on another quarterback in the upcoming draft, having so recently invested a top-10 selection in McCarthy. With that currently out of the question, the Vikings are primed to bring in a veteran to the quarterback room to compete with McCarthy.

The offseason saga regarding Minnesota as a potential destination for Aaron Rodgers was loud and well-documented before Rodgers landed with the Pittsburgh Steelers. In 2024, the Vikings got Pro Bowl-level out of Sam Darnold. The difference between the 2024 and 2025 seasons could not be more stark for the Minnesota Vikings.

Offensive struggles have destroyed Minnesota’s hopes of playoff contention, and the elite quarterback play that elevated the team last year is long gone. They aren’t even getting game-manager level play from their quarterbacks; the team has its worst quarterback grouping in recent memory.

The 2024 Vikings were 10-2 entering Week 13, with an offense that had been held under 20 points per game only once (in a 12-7 win in Jacksonville) and had passed for 250 yards in a game five times.

However, the current iteration of the franchise has cratered offensively. The Vikings were shut out for the first time since 2007, have totaled over 250 yards passing only twice (during Carson Wentz’s replacement stint for an injured McCarthy), and have been held under 20 points in six contests.

Last year, Darnold was accurate, aggressive, and hunted for big plays while processing the field well and taking advantage of opportunities defenses gave him. McCarthy struggles with touch and timing, leaving the ball in the field of play of defenders, and has mechanical issues that have prevented him from accurately delivering passes to his receivers. All of this has culminated in the worst deep-passing game in the NFL and the third-worst passing game by dropback EPA.

McCarthy’s mechanical problems start with a base that the passer has reworked since his time at Michigan. Inconsistency has plagued him, and while he puts in good reps on tape, he hasn’t stacked them consistently.

The inability to pass downfield has severely hindered an offense that attacks deep with multiple upper-echelon skill players and a scheme built to create and exploit mismatches with defenses affording extra attention and coverage to Justin Jefferson.

The intermediate passing game has also been lackluster, with McCarthy missing throws high and putting the ball into harm’s way, with four interceptions on 43 attempts between 10 and 20 yards. Even the short game has struggled, and McCarthy’s passer rating between 0 and 10 yards is an appalling 68.6.

The young quarterback also struggles to desynchronize his hips and arm, which is part of the issues with touch, and has at times displayed a release slot that has left him vulnerable to defenders tipping balls at the line.

McCarthy’s issues are not only mechanical. The first-year quarterback has not accumulated enough reps to acclimate to the game's pace. It begins to look more and more sped-up in high-leverage situations, exacerbating the mechanical struggles.

The only thing that can alleviate these issues is reps, which McCarthy will get in his first full NFL offseason (barring injury), and potentially as the starter in 2026. The Vikings should add another signal-caller to provide insurance.

If McCarthy’s progression isn’t on an appropriate timeline for the team’s competitive aspirations, the seats of the head coach and general manager will continue to heat up, and they may want a steady hand to compete with McCarthy for the starting spot next year.