Minnesota Vikings quarterback Carson Wentz goes through pregame warmups before a matchup against the Philadelphia Eagles at U.S. Bank Stadium on Oct. 19, 2025, in Minneapolis, Minnesota. The veteran passer prepared on the field prior to kickoff while serving as a depth option for the Vikings during the 2025 season.
Mandatory Credit: Brad Rempel-Imagn Images. Kevin O’Connell wants an “elevator” to start at quarterback (his word). Essentially, the Vikings want to roll with a QB1 who is himself a playmaker at point guard.
Think Stephen Curry – a scoring assassin who can distribute – rather than a PG who can’t pile up points. Is the same criteria applicable for the backup option?
Recent days have seen some chatter about who is going to solidify the main backup position. Carson Wentz got signed with the intention of putting him into that QB3 job, a role that’s about getting used as a fire extinguisher if injury ignites yet again. Kyler Murray is now the starter and J.J. McCarthy is looking like the QB2. Is that going to hold? The Vikings Need a QB2 Who is Smart Instead of Sizzling
Different coaches have a different philosophy for the backup quarterback job. Some insist that the backup should be a coach in shoulder pads.
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Think back to the Sean Mannion days where he was the main arm behind Kirk Cousins. The plan has flaws but can work so long as the main guy is an ironman who never misses time. Mannion added value by helping Cousins to decode the game in real time and in the leadup to games. Other coaches want somebody who can win games. Sometimes, that’s a young fella.
In other instances, it’s veteran guys with talent and who can play. Think Jacoby Brissett, Mac Jones, Jameis Winston, and so on. These QBs can play ball but could struggle to move a team through a full seventeen game schedule (which is to say nothing of the playoffs thereafter). Nov 9, 2025; Minneapolis, Minnesota, USA; Minnesota Vikings quarterback J.J. McCarthy (9) hands the ball off to running back Aaron Jones Sr.
(33) against the Baltimore Ravens in the second quarter at U.S. Bank Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Brad Rempel-Imagn Images
So, where does that leave the Vikings?
No matter what, Carson Wentz is going to be on the team. The veteran shepherd is precisely that: a veteran shepherd. All that remains to be determined is where he finds himself on the depth chart. Assuming good health all around, Wentz sees his floor at QB3 and ceiling at QB2. Likewise, J.J. McCarthy has a QB2/QB3 ceiling and floor.
In all likelihood, the kid is going to be the main backup. When called upon, the best thing McCarthy can do is to keep things simple. Make solid plays and proceed from there. If, per chance, there’s a chance to get a kill shot – a deep bomb to Jordan Addison or something of a similar level of explosion – then by all means put points on the board. Dec 14, 2025; Arlington, Texas, USA; Minnesota Vikings quarterback J.J.
McCarthy (9) calls signals during the first half against the Dallas Cowboys at AT&T Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Raymond Carlin III-Imagn Images
Shifting to the young lad, though, likely means scaling things down and building up from there. He shines when driving his fastball toward the sideline but can then be erratic (as he showed yesterday versus the Ravens).
McCarthy’s great task is to continue rallying around what he’s doing well while improving on the things where he isn’t doing as well. And, crucially, J.J.
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McCarthy hasn’t see the final chapter of his story written, as Carson Wentz said earlier in the week. Thriving as a game manager QB2 isn’t where his story needs to end even if it’s what he needs to pursue in the present moment. Begin there and then keep stacking good habits, strong days, and better skills. Next up for McCarthy and the Vikings is a Denver Broncos road game. Afterwards, the great descent down to 53 will take place. Expect three quarterbacks to get onto the final team.
Senior Editor for Vikings Territory & PurplePTSD . Twitter & Bluesky: @VikingsGazette. Email: k.joudry[at]vikingsterritory[dot]com. Canadian. Jude 1:24-25.
