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Carson McCarthy Slides Down Minnesota Vikings' QB Depth Chart
Confirmed
In Short: Carson McCarthy, once a promising first-round pick, will open the 2026 season as the third quarterback for the Minnesota Vikings, behind Kyler Murray and Carson Wentz.
Carson McCarthy, the 10th overall pick in the 2024 NFL Draft, will start the 2026 season as the third quarterback for the Minnesota Vikings, according to coach Kevin O'Connell. McCarthy's fall from grace is attributed to his poor performance in the 2025 season, where he finished last in the NFL in completion rate, touchdown-to-interception ratio, and passer rating.
McCarthy's struggles were evident, as he ranked 36th out of 40 qualified quarterbacks in Total QBR. His inconsistency in preseason games, where he completed only 9 of 17 passes, further solidified his position as the third-string quarterback. The Vikings signed Kyler Murray to compete for the starting job, and despite McCarthy's initial edge, Wentz was named Murray's backup for the season opener against the Green Bay Packers.
McCarthy's tumble down the depth chart is not just a reflection of his poor performance but also a strategic move by the Vikings. General manager Nolan Teasley and coach Kevin O'Connell have had positive conversations with McCarthy, but the decision to name Wentz as the backup signals a clear shift in the team's quarterback hierarchy. McCarthy's first season as a starter was undeniably brutal, and the offense struggled to move the ball all season as a result.
Sources close to the team revealed that McCarthy did not feel comfortable playing in the team's third preseason game against the Denver Broncos. This decision, combined with his poor performance, led to his demotion. McCarthy's fall from being a first-round pick to the third-string quarterback is a stark reminder of the high stakes in the NFL and the importance of consistent performance.
McCarthy's journey from a promising prospect to a backup quarterback is a cautionary tale for young players in the league. His first season as a starter was undeniably brutal, and the offense struggled to move the ball all season as a result. The Vikings' decision to sign Kyler Murray and name Carson Wentz as the backup signals a clear shift in the team's quarterback hierarchy, leaving McCarthy in a precarious position.
What's still developing
- That means McCarthy might not even be active on game day.
- After all, this is the same player who started for the Vikings last season, and whom the organization felt strongly enough about to trade up for and draft 10th overall two years ago.
- McCarthy came into the offseason with a legitimate opportunity to earn the starting quarterback job over Kyler Murray, whom the Minnesota Vikings picked up on a veteran minimum deal in March.
- Up to this point, McCarthy was widely believed to hold at least a narrow edge over Wentz.
- O'Connell naming Wentz the backup over McCarthy sends a clear signal of how McCarthy is being viewed right now, even within the building.
- More news : Puka Nacua Gets Major Suspension Update Ahead of Rams Season Opener McCarthy's first season as a starter was undeniably brutal.
- That already made it clear McCarthy wasn't the long-term answer under center, but few expected him to be scraping by as the third-string quarterback at this point.