Vikings Evidently Have a Player on “Bust Alert”

At this time last year, optimism for J.J. McCarthy’s introduction into the NFL as a starter was through the roof. In June 2026, some are wondering if the man is teetering on “bust” status.

CBS Sports‘ Tyler Sullivan highlighted three players with high stakes this season, and in addition to Jacksonville Jaguars wide receiver Brian Thomas and wideout Keon Coleman from the Buffalo Bills, McCarthy got flagged for a bust warning.

McCarthy Earns an Unwanted Label From CBS Sports

J.J. McCarthy runs for a touchdown against the Dallas Cowboys at AT&T Stadium. — Minnesota Vikings quarterback J.J. McCarthy runs for a touchdown against the Dallas Cowboys at AT&T Stadium in Arlington. McCarthy reached the end zone on December 14, 2025, showcasing his mobility during the first half as Minnesota continued its playoff push and the young quarterback added another dynamic element to the offense. Mandatory Credit: Kevin Jairaj-Imagn Images.

Sullivan: Now’s the Time for McCarthy to Prove He’s Not a Bust

It was really weird for Sullivan to label Thomas as a possible bust — he has 1,989 receiving yards through two seasons — but McCarthy made a bit of sense, especially because he’s missed 73% of all NFL starts due to injury.

“Bust alert: Players running out of time to prove themselves. McCarthy is entering his third season in the NFL and very well could’ve already played his last meaningful down for the Vikings after being the 10th overall pick in 2024,” Sullivan wrote.

“The decision last season to go with McCarthy over Sam Darnold — who won 14 games for the club in 2024 — blew up in the Vikings’ face. They missed the playoffs with McCarthy ranking as arguably the worst starter in the NFL, while Darnold went on to win a Super Bowl with the Seahawks.”

So, per Sullivan, it’s all on the line for McCarthy in 2026.

Perhaps a Bust with Vikings, But McCarthy’s Career Is Far from Over

While McCarthy’s first season as a starter certainly didn’t dazzle fans and onlookers from cover to cover, this is the same league that has produced comeback stories as recently as Darnold winning the Super Bowl five months ago and Baker Mayfield reestablishing himself as a Top 15 starting quarterback in Tampa Bay over the last three seasons. Malik Willis, too, is on track to get his time in the spotlight down in Miami this season.

Three years ago, Darnold especially was a punchline to jokes, a draft bust who teetered on JaMarcus Russell-like status, cast aside by the New York Jets and Carolina Panthers after five whole seasons’ worth of work. To claim that McCarthy is on a bust trajectory after 10 starts in the pros is just mind-boggling. The man is 23 years old. He could play terribly in 2026 and again in 2027 — and still reclaim his career down the road. That’s what Darnold did.

McCarthy has time, even if websites like CBS Sports hint that he might be a lost cause.

In a QB Room with an Injury-Prone Teammate

There’s also his teammate, Kyler Murray, to consider, and, more specifically, Murray’s injury history. Since joining the NFL as the first overall pick in 2019, Murray has started 87 games of a possible 117. He’s short by a quarterback’s standards at 5’10” and is not known for durability. If the speedy passer follows his typical modus operandi, Murray will miss a few games at minimum this season, and the Vikings will turn to McCarthy in relief.

J.J. McCarthy during first-half action for the Vikings at U.S. Bank Stadium. — Minnesota Vikings quarterback J.J. McCarthy takes the field during first-half action at U.S. Bank Stadium in Minneapolis. McCarthy appeared on December 7, 2025, as Minnesota entered another critical late-season matchup with the young passer continuing to lead the offense during his first year as the Vikings’ starter. Mandatory Credit: Brad Rempel-Imagn Images.

Of course, if Murray is healthy for 17 games and the Vikings post a winning record, stamping a ticket to the postseason, that’s the best-case scenario for everyone but McCarthy. That is unlikely, though, as history shows that Murray gets hurt.

When McCarthy gets his chance in the event of a Murray injury, that will be his moment to seize the day, assuming McCarthy doesn’t score the upset at training camp and in the preseason. The bust narrative could be debunked as soon as September or October.

Vikings’ Horrid QB Drafting Woes

Minnesota connected on Daunte Culpepper during the 1999 NFL Draft — and then that was the last time it successfully drafted a quarterback, at least one with long-term staying power.

J.J. McCarthy throws a pass against the Atlanta Falcons at U.S. Bank Stadium. — Minnesota Vikings quarterback J.J. McCarthy throws a pass against the Atlanta Falcons during the first half at U.S. Bank Stadium. McCarthy worked through the offense on September 14, 2025, as Minnesota opened another regular-season contest and the first-year starter continued gaining experience in Kevin O’Connell’s system. Mandatory Credit: Jeffrey Becker-Imagn Images.

Here’s the lineup of draft passers since Culpepper left the Twin Cities 20 years ago:

Tarvaris Jackson (2006, R2)
Tyler Thigpen (2007, R7)
Joe Webb (2010, R6)
Christian Ponder (2011, R1)
Teddy Bridgewater (2014, R1)
Nate Stanley (2020, R7)
Kellen Mond (2021, R3)
Jaren Hall (2023, R5)
J.J. McCarthy (2024, R1)

That drought is severely overdue to end, whether that’s McCarthy or the next guy. With any luck, Murray may stick around for longer than a year, and the Vikings won’t have to draft anybody until 2030 or so.

When the time comes, Minnesota is absolutely destined to hit on a quarterback. The alternative would be for McCarthy, as well, to mature and develop, making the list less agonizing.