J.J. McCarthy will remain with the Minnesota Vikings. Despite speculation that he might be cut or traded before Sunday's 6 p.m. ET roster deadline, the former first-round pick secured a spot on the team's initial 53-man roster.
McCarthy went into Minnesota's 2026 training camp with an opportunity to compete against new addition Kyler Murray for the starting role, but the competition never became close. Coach Kevin O'Connell moved quickly, naming Murray the starter two weeks into camp and pledging to keep helping McCarthy develop and prepare.
As the preseason went on, reports indicated Minnesota could trade McCarthy to a team like the Los Angeles Chargers, coached by McCarthy's college coach Jim Harbaugh, before the end of August. With Carson Wentz and Max Brosmer also on the roster, McCarthy could have easily been the one left out.
Instead, the Vikings chose to keep four quarterbacks on the roster, matching the Eagles and Steelers.
McCarthy's time with the Vikings has been rocky. After a strong preseason debut as a rookie, he had season-ending knee surgery, which allowed Sam Darnold to take over and have a career-best season. The next year, McCarthy started as the team's quarterback but dealt with injuries for most of his second season, showing the Vikings they needed a more reliable option for 2026.
Minnesota responded by signing Murray shortly after the Cardinals released him, creating a quarterback competition that never really materialized.
For now, McCarthy remains Murray's backup. That could change in the coming days.
Source: www.nfl.com — Read the original article
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