Veteran QB Emerges As Favorite To Replace J.J. McCarthy In Minnesota

This article was originally published on Total Pro Sports.

J.J. McCarthy is not expected to start for the Minnesota Vikings in 2026.

McCarthy spent his first NFL season sidelined with an injury. His second wasn’t that great either. 

The former Michigan star struggled with inconsistency and injury niggles. He completed 57 percent of his passes for a meager 1,632 yards and 11 touchdowns, along with 12 interceptions. 

McCarthy had the luxury of playing alongside one of the league’s best wide receivers in Justin Jefferson, yet failed to find him as frequently as he would have liked.

Various sources have linked the Vikings with a move for a new quarterback. However, Dianna Russini suggests he might not be all that new.

According to the NFL insider, one league source has floated Kirk Cousins’ name. 

“The Vikings will be bringing in a veteran QB to compete with J.J. McCarthy in 2026,” Russini reported this week. “One league source I spoke with pondered the possibility of a Kirk Cousins reunion in Minnesota.”

Atlanta Falcons Expected To Release Kirk Cousins 

The Vikings are one of three teams with a rumored interest in Cousins nearing the end of the season. 

The Atlanta Falcons are expected to release him in the offseason due to the $67.9 million guarantee in his contract, which kicks in as of March 13. 

Cousins went 5-3 as a starter last season, completing 61.7 percent of his passes for 1,721 yards, 10 TDs and five INTs.

He is, of course, familiar with Kevin O’Connell’s offense, having played 25 games under the Vikings head coach.