Given the Vikings’ situation in the quarterback room, Florio predicted on Saturday that McCarthy will have at least two years of runway to establish himself in Minnesota.
“He’s getting his shot to play after a knee injury wiped out his rookie season,” Florio wrote. “Anything other than an outright disaster will ensure his status for 2026. At worst, he’d have to compete with a more established veteran next year.”
Minnesota isn’t going to ask McCarthy to navigate what may be a Super Bowl-roster all the way to a championship in his first year as a starter, though the team will expect him to keep the proverbial car on the road.
“The directive is simple: Take what’s there; no need to be a hero,” Alec Lewis of The Athletic wrote on July 2. “Expecting McCarthy to be perfect would be foolish. Thinking he’ll thrive on intermediate routes and anticipatory throws is fair. Most everyone who has spent meaningful time around him raves about him. How he looks will be one of the biggest stories of the NFL season.”
Vikings May Look to Supplement QB Room After Training Camp Begins
GettyFormer Minnesota Vikings quarterback Kirk Cousins.
Depending on how McCarthy performs early in the season, or if he gets injured, the Vikings may need to turn to a secondary option to keep their championship aspirations viable.
Howell would be the answer with training camp approaching, though Minnesota could be in the market for a veteran either via free agency or trade ahead of the midseason deadline.
The Vikings’ options could include trading with the Atlanta Falcons for former starter Kirk Cousins or signing a free agent like Ryan Tannehill or Carson Wentz.
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