J.J. McCarthy’s trajectory could force Vikings to reset their 2026 draft plans

Minnesota Vikings quarterback J.J. McCarthy | John Fisher/GettyImagesIt was always a gamble by head coach Kevin O’Connell and the Minnesota Vikings to hand the keys of the franchise to second-year quarterback J.J. McCarthy this year. The 22-year-old hadn’t played a meaningful snap of football since college football’s 2023 national championship game.

The Vikings didn’t just go all-in, though. They went all the way in, kicking No. 2 quarterback down the road in an almost irresponsible manner while committing close to $280 million to free agent contracts, more than any NFC team, to maximize the window associated with McCarthy’s rookie-scale contract.

Now 11 weeks into the season, the cards are…