Hall of Fame Minnesota Vikings wideout Cris Carter was rather obviously not a huge fan of J.J. McCarthy, using his platform to criticize the passer a few times during the 2025 regular season. But in the 2026 offseason, Carter thinks McCarthy will eventually get a chance to prove himself.

Minnesota has a new QB1 for now, but Carter clearly believes McCarthy still has meaningful time to reclaim the job.

The Vikings now have Kyler Murray on the roster for QB1 duty, yet Carter says not to count out McCarthy just yet.

The Vikings’ Quarterback Timeline Still Leaves Room

A fresh take from the Vikings legend.

Carter on McCarthy

Carter spoke to Heavy this week, and to the surprise of some, he unloaded an optimistic McCarthy take.

“J.J. McCarthy, he’s still going to get an opportunity because most quarterbacks aren’t going to stay healthy for 17 games, so there will be an opportunity for him not only to learn and get better, but also to watch and learn from a guy like Kyler Murray … But I’d expect Kyler to be the starter this season,” Carter said.

He added about the Vikings’ offense, “Kevin O’Connell has proven with this offense when he’s had a healthy QB, he’s been able to win 12, 13, 14 games during the regular season. If you look at the nucleus of players they do have coming back … you’d have to be looking at the Vikings to be back in the playoffs and competing for the NFC.”

“Their offensive and defensive lines are more fortified than they were 2 years ago; they just need consistent quarterback play and the ability to allow that defense to be able to turn the ball over and get after the quarterback.”

For the most part, Carter was spot-on.

McCarthy’s Whirlwind 2025 Campaign

McCarthy showcased his potential late in 2025 in games against Detroit, Washington, Dallas, and New York, demonstrating confidence and effective offensive leadership.

However, the rest of his record is less promising. Recurring injuries hampered his performance and prevented him from achieving week-to-week consistency. By the end of 2025, he ranked last in EPA+CPOE, highlighting an underwhelming first season as a starter.

Ultimately, McCarthy’s availability is the major concern. Since entering the league in 2024, he has missed 24 of 34 possible games, resulting in a 70% absence rate over two seasons. He started the season with a memorable moment at Soldier Field, struggled the following week, got hurt, returned with a vengeance, got hurt, got hot in December, and then got hurt again.

Carter Is Correct on QB Injuries

One thing is certain from Carter’s musings: Murray isn’t necessarily an Iron Man. He’s missed 26% of all games in his career, translating to a pattern of staying under center 12 or 13 games per season. If his history catches up with him in 2026, well, McCarthy will be ready to step in as the QB2, assuming he keeps Carson Wentz at bay, whom Minnesota signed last month for more depth.

There’s a world where Murray gets hurt — again, he’s not known for extreme durability — and McCarthy enters the lineup. Then, you know, he could just stay there if his mechanics have improved and his maturation mirrored that of an NFL starter.

McCarthy’s story doesn’t have to be over in Minnesota. It might just require some serendipity if the form of a Murray injury, as morbid as that sounds.

Zone Coverage‘s Wyatt Wade wrote last month, “While Murray’s signing helps the Vikings in 2026, it could create an issue in the future. McCarthy and Brosmer have only one more year on their contracts beyond this season. As a first-round pick, McCarthy has a club option after 2027, and Brosmer would be a restricted free agent.”

“The Vikings also haven’t signed Wentz yet and seem hesitant to bring in another quarterback to challenge McCarthy for the backup spot. If Murray stays healthy and chooses to leave after this season, the team is right back where they started before this offseason, if not in a bit worse situation.”

Vikings’ Life Easier if McCarthy Is Good

Minnesota picked McCarthy with a purpose in 2024 — to be the franchise quarterback after Kirk Cousins. That plan has not worked. Injuries have spoiled the forecast.

But that doesn’t mean anyone has to be low on his future. His stock took a major hit when Murray signed the dotted line, rest assured. Yet, the Vikings’ long-term outlook would be so much easier if McCarthy arrived to 2026 as an improved and healthy man. It wouldn’t matter if Murray worked out, and the Vikings wouldn’t need to eye young quarterbacks in 2027 or 2028.

In that vein, Minnesota might have two favorable outcomes churning: a chance for Murray to get back on track as a Pro Bowl quarterback, and if he does not, a hope that McCarthy develops and matures, as was the plan in the spring of 2024.

Carter is right that McCarthy will probably get a chance to strut his stuff in 2026. Given Murray’s history, it might be weird if he stays 100% healthy in all 17 games.