Vikings Name Wentz Backup, Demote McCarthy to Third String

The Minnesota Vikings have finalized their quarterback depth chart for the upcoming Week 1 game against the Green Bay Packers, naming Kyler Murray the starter, Carson Wentz the primary backup, and J.J. McCarthy third on the list. Head coach Kevin O'Connell announced the decision Wednesday, marking a significant demotion for McCarthy, who was once envisioned as the franchise's future signal-caller. McCarthy, the 10th overall pick in the 2024 NFL Draft, has faced a series of setbacks since joining the Vikings. He missed his entire rookie season in 2024 due to a torn meniscus sustained during preseason. When he finally took the field as the starter in 2025, his performance was inconsistent, marked by turnovers and further injuries. In 10 games last season, McCarthy completed 57.6% of his passes for 1,632 yards, throwing 11 touchdowns against 12 interceptions. The team's acquisition of veteran quarterback Kyler Murray in the offseason created a competition for the starting role, which Murray ultimately won.