McCarthy, a quarterback the Minnesota Vikings believed in enough to trade up for, taking him 10th overall in the 2024 NFL Draft. Yet here we are just over two years later, and he's not only moved into a backup role but could begin the season as Minnesota's third-string quarterback, behind newcomer Kyler Murray and 33-year-old veteran Carson Wentz. Some even thought he might be left off the 53-man roster altogether when the cutdown deadline arrived on Sunday.
That's how far his stock has fallen over the past year. Adding to the uncertainty around McCarthy's status is the fact that he missed the preseason finale against the Broncos with an ankle injury. After doing little in his first two preseason outings, that's the last thing he or the team needed.
But on Wednesday, Vikings general manager Nolan Teasley offered a positive update, saying McCarthy has practiced in full over the last two days. He stayed mum, however, on whether McCarthy would enter the season as the primary backup. "I wouldn't really necessarily comment on depth immediately," Teasley said.
"But I'm pleased that he's part of the present version of the Minnesota Vikings and excited about his future." More news: Raiders Make Final Call on Starting QB Battle Ahead of Week 1 More news: Aaron Donald Drops Bold Claim About Return to NFL McCarthy's situation in Minnesota bears an eerie resemblance to what's unfolding with Anthony Richardson in Indianapolis. Both are high-profile quarterbacks and high draft picks who have fallen out of favor with the teams that drafted them and are now simply fighting to stay on their respective rosters. Both have been the subject of trade rumors for months, and there's a real chance either — or both — could be moved in the months ahead.
As for McCarthy, he remains on the Vikings' depth chart, but it appears head coach Kevin O'Connell currently has more faith in both Murray and Wentz. If Murray were to go down with an injury, McCarthy could get another opportunity to prove his worth to the organization. But given that he began the offseason in a legitimate battle for the starting job and now appears to have merely scraped by as the third-string quarterback, things aren't looking great for McCarthy in Minnesota right now — and the front office staying cryptic about his place on the depth chart only adds fuel to the fire.
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