J.J. McCarthy has followed a familiar pattern in the 2025 season: Injuries. The difference this time is in scale. After missing his entire rookie year due to a torn meniscus, he was sidelined for seven games with an ankle issue, a concussion, and a hand injury in 2025. And even when he was available, his play for the Minnesota Vikings was uneven. That context explains why, after the team wrapped up the regular season, head coach Kevin O’Connell was asked whether he was comfortable heading into next season with McCarthy as the starter.

“I think every year, you’re coming back to build a team throughout the offseason, throughout the draft, leading into training camp,” O’Connell said in his post-game press conference. “I think he’s improved throughout the season. I think he’s grown as a lot of young quarterbacks do. Today was his 10th start. I can’t wait to work with him in the offseason and absolutely look forward to the continued development and improvement.

“I’m excited about where he’s ending the season and know there are some things we can really dive into as a group, J.J. and myself. I look forward to the challenge of being the best version of myself for not only J.J., but this entire team.”

The head coach avoided a simple “yes” or “no.” He instead chose to frame the answer around the offseason plan and McCarthy’s development.

That kind of answer tells you plenty, mostly because of what it doesn’t say. If O’Connell were fully comfortable with McCarthy as the unquestioned QB1 in 2026, this was the moment to say it. He didn’t. And that hesitation, by itself, is noteworthy. Carson Wentz and Max Brosmer were the other quarterbacks with the team this season. Perhaps the team will make a decision for 2026 based on how hard Wentz and Brosmer try to secure McCarthy’s spot.

On paper, the Vikings closed the season strong, winning their final five games of 2025. But that raises a fair question: how much of that stretch can truly be credited to their quarterback?

One win? Maybe two? Beyond that, things get murkier.

After missing time with a concussion and ankle issues, McCarthy sat out Week 17 against the Detroit Lions due to a hairline fracture in his right hand. He returned for the regular-season finale against the Green Bay Packers, started the game, and played the entire first half, only to last a single offensive snap in the second half. Same hand. Same problem.

On the Vikings’ first play of the third quarter, McCarthy dropped back and flipped a screen pass to Justin Jefferson. Almost immediately, he waved to the sideline and pulled himself out. His final line: 14-of-23 for 182 yards, no touchdowns, no interceptions, and an 85.8 passer rating.

Zooming out to the full season, the pattern becomes clearer. McCarthy appeared in ten games, but exited early or played through injury in nearly half of them. He finished 140-of-243 for 1,632 yards, 11 passing touchdowns, 12 interceptions, and four rushing scores this season. The Vikings went 6–4 in his starts and 3–4 when he didn’t play.

Taken together, O’Connell’s reluctance to commit publicly makes sense. This isn’t a vote of no confidence. But it’s not an endorsement either. McCarthy showed growth, but not consistency. Availability and durability are still issues with him. So, when Kevin O’Connell avoids saying he is comfortable with McCarthy as the 2026 starter, it’s less alarming than it is logical.

And in a league where quarterback decisions define everything, it also leaves the door open. If Minnesota decides to explore other options, it won’t be short on them.

Could HC Kevin O’Connell look for a potential option at the quarterback position?

We’ve already seen this blueprint around the league. When things didn’t pan out with Anthony Richardson, the Indianapolis Colts pivoted and signed Daniel Jones to a one-year deal. And before Jones went down with a season-ending injury, he actually stabilized things. Given J.J. McCarthy’s ongoing struggle to stay healthy, it naturally raises the question: could Kevin O’Connell consider a similar approach?

This Vikings regime is still searching for its first postseason win, which adds urgency to every decision. One option would be swinging big: Trying to land an established quarterback like Kirk Cousins or Mac Jones. But deals like that are difficult, expensive, and often come at the cost of fixing other roster holes.

Another route would be drafting yet another first-round quarterback. That’s possible, but it feels unlikely given where the roster stands and how much they’ve already invested in McCarthy.

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That is why the most realistic middle ground may be this: bringing in a capable veteran who can legitimately compete with McCarthy for the QB1 job. It wouldn’t be a full reset. But it would create pressure, insurance, and clarity. Whether that happens will depend entirely on how the offseason unfolds. For his part, McCarthy believes he has done enough to earn the trust of the Vikings’ decision-makers. But he also acknowledged that the final call isn’t his.

“In my opinion, I feel like I have, but at the end of the day, they have their own opinion, they have their own perspective,” the QB said. “I just feel confident going into this offseason and content with where I’m at, because I feel like they know who I am as an individual and the potential and capability that this offense could have with me at the helm.

“But at the end of the day, it’s all about the guys. From here on out, if I’m here, if I’m not, I love every single one of those guys and had a frickin’ blast playing for them.”

That confidence is understandable. The Vikings did close out the 2025 season on a high note. Whether they can carry that momentum through the offseason and in 2026 now becomes the real question.