ESPN Reveals Vikings Never Ranked J.J. McCarthy as Top QB Prospect

According to ESPN, the Vikings placed J.J. McCarthy in their second tier of 2024 QB prospects, with Kevin O'Connell pushing hard for Drake Maye instead.

The Minnesota Vikings drafted J.J. McCarthy 10th overall in 2024 as what looked like their franchise quarterback of the future, but ESPN's Kevin Seifert reports the team internally broke the 2024 quarterback class into two tiers. Caleb Williams, Jayden Daniels and Drake Maye sat in the top tier, while McCarthy, Michael Penix Jr. and Bo Nix were placed in a second tier that, per ESPN, would 'need a more fulsome team around them to succeed.' Seifert also reports the Vikings believed McCarthy 'might need multiple years before it was time to play him.'

The most striking detail is that head coach Kevin O'Connell 'pushed hard' for Minnesota to trade up from No. 11 to No. 3 to select Drake Maye, but the New England Patriots turned down the offer from then-GM Kwesi Adofo-Mensah, according to ESPN and the New York Post. Despite speculation that O'Connell opposed drafting McCarthy, ESPN's sources say he supported the pick alongside a development plan featuring credible veteran options like Sam Darnold, believing McCarthy's age and room for growth could eventually make him a difference-maker.

The New York Post highlights a reported immaturity issue: McCarthy celebrated a touchdown against the Dallas Cowboys five yards before crossing the goal line in a December game, despite being told not to repeat the celebration in practice — an instance that 'did not sit well internally,' per ESPN's reporting. The Post notes McCarthy admitted afterward, 'I did it in practice, and I was told not to do it... now I'm more enticed to do it.' The Post reports his maturity, decision-making and lack of quickness in the pocket factored into the Vikings signing Kyler Murray to a one-year deal in March.

The on-field results explain the fall. McCarthy missed his entire rookie season with a torn meniscus suffered in the preseason, per the New York Post. In 2025 he completed 57.6 percent of his passes for 1,632 yards, 11 touchdowns and 12 interceptions, finishing 30th in the league in QBR according to Bleacher Report, citing Pro Football Reference. This offseason the Vikings signed Kyler Murray and demoted McCarthy to third on the depth chart four days before their season opener, per the Post.

Murray suffered a concussion on Minnesota's third possession in Week 1 against Green Bay, and veteran Carson Wentz stepped in, finishing 12-of-19 for 133 yards with three touchdowns in a 39-22 win, per the New York Post. O'Connell said Friday that Wentz will start against the Bears in Chicago, and that he 'fully anticipates' Murray clearing concussion protocol next week. FanSided argues the Vikings should part ways with McCarthy while he still has value, comparing his situation to Anthony Richardson's stuck-in-backup role in Indianapolis, while GM Nolan Teasley says McCarthy's story is 'not written.'