Vikings Face QB Crossroads: Could Mac Jones Be the Answer to J.J. McCarthy’s Struggles?
The Minnesota Vikings find themselves at a familiar NFL fork in the road - stuck between a young quarterback with potential and the pressing need to win now. J.J.
McCarthy, the 10th overall pick in the 2024 NFL Draft, was supposed to be the future under center. But after a rookie season lost to injury and an up-and-down campaign in 2025, the Vikings may be looking for someone to push - or possibly replace - him.
Let’s break it down.
McCarthy's Rookie Struggles: Flashes of Talent, But the Numbers Tell a Tough Story
McCarthy’s 2025 season has been anything but smooth. After tearing his meniscus during the 2024 preseason, he essentially entered this year as a rookie - and it’s shown.
The 22-year-old has started six games, completing just 54.1% of his passes for 929 yards, with six touchdowns and 10 interceptions. That’s not just a rough stat line - it’s the lowest passer rating in the league at 57.9.
To be fair, McCarthy has had his moments. His fourth-quarter heroics in a Week 1 comeback win over the Bears gave fans a glimpse of what he could be.
And his two-touchdown first quarter in a Week 9 win over the Lions showed he can start hot when the game plan clicks. But those flashes have been the exception, not the rule.
On the ground, McCarthy has added 120 rushing yards and two scores, averaging 5.2 yards per carry - a solid number that hints at his athleticism. But even that hasn’t been enough to quiet the frustration, especially when boos start raining down at U.S. Bank Stadium.
Injuries haven’t helped either. A high-ankle sprain sidelined him for five games, and he missed last week’s matchup against Seattle with a concussion. Availability is a skill in this league, and right now, McCarthy hasn’t had it.
Enter Mac Jones?
With McCarthy struggling to find consistency - and stay healthy - the idea of bringing in competition is gaining traction. And one name that’s come up? Mac Jones.
Colin Cowherd recently floated the idea that the Vikings should trade for the 49ers' backup quarterback. The pitch is simple: Minnesota has too much talent on the roster to go through another season of uncertainty at the most important position in football. Justin Jefferson, Jordan Addison, and a defense led by coordinator Brian Flores aren’t built to waste time waiting on development.
Cowherd’s suggestion: trade a second-round pick to San Francisco for Jones, who has just one year left on his contract but carries a manageable $2.2 million cap hit in 2026.
What Jones Brings to the Table
To his credit, Jones has shown he can operate effectively in the right system. In eight starts filling in for Brock Purdy this season, he went 5-3, completing nearly 70% of his passes for 2,151 yards, 13 touchdowns, and six interceptions - all while working with a depleted receiving corps.
That’s efficient football, and it’s the kind of steady hand that could appeal to Kevin O’Connell if McCarthy continues to falter. The idea would be to bring Jones in not just as insurance, but as a legitimate competitor for the starting job.
Of course, there are risks. Giving up a second-rounder for a player on an expiring deal isn’t a small gamble. And if Minnesota were to trade for Jones and extend him, they’d be betting that his late-season production in San Francisco is more indicative of his future than his struggles in New England or Jacksonville.
What’s Next for the Vikings?
The Vikings aren’t going to stand pat this offseason. They can’t afford to. Whether it’s Mac Jones or another veteran, expect Minnesota to add someone to the quarterback room who can push McCarthy - or potentially take over.
The clock is ticking. Jefferson is a superstar in his prime.
Addison is blossoming. The defense is trending up under Flores.
All that’s missing is consistent quarterback play.
McCarthy still has time to develop, but the NFL doesn’t always wait around. The Vikings have a decision to make - and it might come sooner than later.