Latest J.J. McCarthy setback raises further doubts about his future with Vikings

Minnesota Vikings quarterback J.J. McCarthy is running out of opportunities to prove he belongs in the team’s long-term plans.

On Tuesday, NFL insider Ian Rapoport shared that McCarthy (hand) will miss a Christmas Day game against the Detroit Lions (8-7) after MRI results showed he has a hairline fracture in his throwing hand.

Rookie undrafted free agent Max Brosmer is set to start in his place. In his first start, Brosmer threw four interceptions in a 26-0 loss at the Seattle Seahawks (12-3).

J.J. McCarthy injury another setback for struggling young quarterback

The injury is another blow to McCarthy while raising fresh concerns about his viability as a franchise quarterback. The early returns of his pro career haven’t been promising.

Among 35 quarterbacks who debuted since 2020 with at least nine career starts, only Tyler Huntley and Anthony Richardson have fewer passing yards than McCarthy (1,450) in their first nine starts. He also has the third-worst completion rate (57.3 percent) and passer rating (71.2) while throwing the most interceptions (12). (h/t Stathead)

His horrid start rivals those of NFL Draft busts such as Miami Dolphins quarterback Zach Wilson, New York Jets quarterback Justin Fields and Las Vegas Raiders quarterback Kenny Pickett. All left their former teams that used first-round picks on them, with Wilson and Pickett not even getting to the end of their rookie contracts.

The Vikings (7-8) need McCarthy to give them some sign he’ll develop into a starting-caliber quarterback and not constantly sitting on the bench. With McCarthy set to miss Thursday’s game against the Lions, he’ll be inactive in 24 of his first 33 games after missing all of his rookie season with a knee injury and seven games this year with various injuries.

McCarthy first suffered a high ankle sprain that forced him to miss five games from Weeks 3-8. Following a 23-6 loss to the Green Bay Packers (9-5-1) in November, McCarthy reported concussion symptoms, leading to another game missed.

When healthy, McCarthy has been borderline unplayable. The 2024 first-round pick (No. 10 overall) has thrown an interception in all but one game. His 5.5 percent interception rate is 1.6 percentage points higher than Miami Dolphins quarterback Tua Tagovailoa, who is tied for the most interceptions thrown this season.

In a talent-deficient 2026 quarterback draft class, the Vikings, who currently own the No. 15 pick, are unlikely to find McCarthy’s replacement in one of this year’s prospects. But the clock is ticking on the struggling quarterback. It’s fair to question if he should enter next season as the starter or have to earn the role in a competition with a free-agent signee.

Based on what McCarthy has put on tape this season, Minnesota absolutely needs a realistic alternative entering 2026. And with one less game to prove he’s the answer, McCarthy won’t be able to silence his doubters anytime soon.