Vikings restructure quarterback depth chart with Murray, Wentz, McCarthy
Vikings make major QB moves: Murray starts, Wentz backs up, McCarthy demoted to third string.
Event / Sports
NFL 2026 Offseason
Personnel changes and roster decisions across NFL teams for the 2026 season, including quarterback depth chart adjustments and player trades.
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2026-09-10 to 2026-11-06 · UTC publication dates
Coverage begins 10 Sept, 00:32 UTC
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What happened
Sam Darnold led Vikings to 14-3 record and playoff berth in 2024
While J.J. McCarthy recovered from injury, quarterback Sam Darnold led the Minnesota Vikings to a 14-3 record and a playoff berth during the 2024 season.
Sam Darnold won Super Bowl with Seattle Seahawks in 2025
Quarterback Sam Darnold, who left the Minnesota Vikings in free agency, won the Super Bowl in his first season with the Seattle Seahawks in 2025.
Carson Wentz named Vikings backup quarterback
Veteran quarterback Carson Wentz was named the primary backup to Kyler Murray for the Vikings' Week 1 game against Green Bay. O'Connell cited Wentz's experience with nearly 100 career starts and his ability to apply that experience with limited preparation time as the reasoning for the selection over McCarthy.
J.J. McCarthy completes 57.6% of passes in 2025 season with 11 TDs and 12 INTs
In his first season as the Vikings' starter in 2025, J.J. McCarthy started 10 games with a 6-4 record. He completed 57.6% of his passes for 1,632 passing yards, 11 touchdowns and 12 interceptions before being benched on August 12, 2026.
J.J. McCarthy led Michigan to 2023 College Football Playoff championship
J.J. McCarthy led the University of Michigan football team to the 2023 College Football Playoff championship, posting a 27-1 record as a starter at Michigan.
J.J. McCarthy suffered torn meniscus in preseason as a rookie
J.J. McCarthy, selected 10th overall by the Vikings in the 2024 NFL Draft, suffered a season-ending torn meniscus in his right knee during the team's first preseason game against the Raiders, costing him his entire rookie developmental year.
Vikings demote J.J. McCarthy to third-string quarterback
Vikings head coach Kevin O'Connell announced that J.J. McCarthy, the team's 2024 first-round draft pick (10th overall), has been moved to third-string quarterback behind starter Kyler Murray and backup Carson Wentz. O'Connell stated the depth chart arrangement would be evaluated on a week-to-week basis.
Vikings name Kyler Murray starting QB for 2026 season opener
Minnesota Vikings head coach Kevin O'Connell announced Kyler Murray as the starting quarterback for the team's Week 1 matchup against the Green Bay Packers on September 13, 2026.
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