The 40 Most Important Vikings of 2026: No. 20 — J.J. McCarthy

Does J.J. McCarthy still have a chance to win the Minnesota Vikings’ up-for-grabs QB1 job this month? Nope. Is he likely to play some QB1 snaps in 2026? Maybe. Accordingly, as McCarthy trends as the Vikings’ backup quarterback in 2026, he checks in at No. 20 on our most important players countdown

By season’s end, McCarthy, in theory, could be the most important player on the team, depending on how the season shakes out, but for now, No. 20 feels just about right.

McCarthy’s Role Changed, but His Importance Didn’t

McCarthy’s Role in 2026

On Tuesday, head coach Kevin O’Connell named McCarthy the backup quarterback, elevating Kyler Murray to QB1.

“I think mentally he’s definitely probably ahead of where I thought. Nothing has really changed from a standpoint of the timeline and things like that. So we’ll see how the reps continue to go, and when we feel like we’re at that place, we’re going to make sure we communicate that both in-house and internally and obviously to you guys as soon as possible,” O’Connell told reporters on Sunday night.

“In my opinion, he’s got the skill set and the abilities not only just from the standpoint of accuracy and his ability to affect the game with his athleticism, but he’s also proven to be smart, very hardworking, and be able to take in a lot of information and churn that out.”

It’s Murray in – – and McCarthy out as far as QB1 is concerned.

What Success Looks Like

Success for McCarthy will be twofold: a) Accept the QB2 job with grace and professionalism – – basically remain a team player and not request a trade out of defiance b) Bide his time for an appearance under center.

Murray, through seven seasons, has played an eligible 87 of 117 games. He’s not Mr. Durability. Neither is McCarthy – – one of the major reasons the Vikings signed Murray to compete with McCarthy was McCarthy’s injury history – – but onlookers will watch to determine if McCarthy’s string of injuries in 2025 was a strange outlier or a trend.

There may be a moment in 2026 when Murray goes down, and O’Connell points to McCarthy, saying, “You’re up.” McCarthy can perhaps regain the QB1 job and never give it back, depending on the circumstances of the Vikings’ season at that point.

What Could Make This Ranking Look Too Low – – or Too High

No. 20 will be flagrantly too low if McCarthy gets his chance to play QB1. Suppose Murray gets hurt, the aforementioned scenario. In theory, McCarthy could ball out, leaving Murray on the sidelines indefinitely. As QB1, McCarthy would instantly be jolted into the Top 10 per importance. It’s just the way the NFL works.

However, right now, McCarthy is “just a backup quarterback.” It was actually a bit complicated to make McCarthy a Top 20 inclusion as a player who may not see the field at all.

McCarthy’s stakes are wild at the moment: by February, he could be back on track as the Vikings’ quarterback of the future – – or offseason tradebait.

Next in the Countdown

Here’s how VikesNow got to No. 20:

Cornerback Isaiah Rodgers is next on the countdown at No. 19. He fired up a memorable first season in purple last year and is on tap to start again in 2026. He always faces a contract year.

The Vikings’ first preseason game is Saturday, and McCarthy will likely get ample action as the newly minted backup quarterback, along with Carson Wentz and Max Brosmer. It’s unclear if Murray will play, perhaps a drive or two.

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VikesNow Verdict: McCarthy lost the job he expected to own, but his 2026 story is not over. Murray’s durability history and McCarthy’s continued development make QB2 unusually consequential.
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About The Author

Dustin Baker

Dustin Baker is the co-founder and editor of VikesNow, a novelist, a writer at CBS Sports, and a political scientist. His second novel, The Invaders, is out now, along with his debut thriller, The Motor Route. He hosts VikesNow on YouTube and has followed the Minnesota Vikings intently since 1996. Guilty pleasures include peanut butter ice cream, The Sopranos, Basset Hounds, and The Doors.

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