J.J. McCarthy’s future as the Vikings‘ franchise quarterback is already being questioned, and a franchise legend is now adding fuel to the fire. With buzz rising that the Vikings might bring in a veteran like Kirk Cousins to push McCarthy, Hall of Famer Jared Allen did not hold back in a recent episode of UP & Adams.

“My biggest question is can [J.J. McCarthy] stay healthy,” Jared Allen said in the clip shared on X by UP & Adams on Thursday. “If you can’t stay healthy, you can’t stay the starter, right? I mean, you can’t, then now, now we’re trying to put money in the backups and create these things.”

The 2024 first-round pick has shown flashes of talent, but injuries and inconsistency have clouded his early career. In the 2025 season, McCarthy threw 1,632 yards and 11 touchdowns.

Against the Giants, McCarthy went 9-for-14 passing for 108 yards, added a rushing touchdown and an interception before he was injured in the second quarter. The young quarterback appeared to be in some serious pain before leaving the game with an apparent hand injury that drew immediate attention from associate head athletic trainer Connor Whicker.

Ultimately, McCarthy was forced to leave just before halftime, a disappointing setback at a time when the 23-year-old looked like he was just finding his stride. The Vikings’ investment in a first-round quarterback is wasted if he can’t stay on the field, making his availability the single most important factor in their offseason planning. With recent injuries, the likelihood of the Vikings looking for a more reliable and trusted option increases.

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Allen’s words carry weight, coming from a Hall of Famer whose 136 career sacks prove he knows what it takes to disrupt an offense and evaluate quarterback resilience. He also recorded 36 passes defended, showing his ability to make an impact beyond just sacking the quarterback.

Though McCarthy has shown flashes of potential, his inconsistent play when healthy has fueled offseason speculation that the Vikings will bring in competition. That uncertainty has fueled offseason talk about adding competition at the quarterback spot.

Will Kirk Cousins force a QB battle in Minnesota?

If the Vikings bring in a veteran quarterback, it could shake up their QB room. Rumors have linked Kirk Cousins to a possible return to Minnesota. Cousins spent six seasons with the Vikings before joining the Falcons, making a reunion possible. Former NFL star Shannon Sharpe also weighed in on the situation recently.

“He’s familiar [with O’Connell’s system],” Sharpe said on Wednesday in a video from Nightcap’s YouTube channel, noting that Cousins’ knowledge of the offense could give him an edge over McCarthy. A quarterback like Cousins wouldn’t need time to learn the playbook, which could make it harder for McCarthy to secure the starting job.

For J.J. McCarthy, this isn’t just about his talent; it’s about opportunity. A veteran competitor could push him in training camp and the preseason. With Cousins’ familiarity with the system, that competition could begin even before Week 1.

In the end, the Vikings will have to decide if betting on McCarthy’s long-term potential is worth it. His talent is clear, but injuries have slowed his progress and stalled his development. They now have a decision to make. Gamble on McCarthy’s high ceiling despite his injury risks, or hedge their bet with a reliable veteran like Cousins, potentially shaking the young quarterback’s confidence.