The Minnesota Vikings might be rethinking their commitment to quarterback J.J. McCarthy after a rocky first year on the field. The former Michigan standout, drafted in the first round of the 2024 NFL Draft, missed his entire rookie season due to injury. When he returned in 2025, he lasted only two games before getting hurt again, allowing veteran Carson Wentz to take over. Once Wentz went down, McCarthy returned and reclaimed the job.

Despite five total starts, he hasn’t shown much progress. Across his early career, McCarthy has completed just 52.9% of his passes for 842 yards—averaging 6.0 yards per attempt—with six touchdowns and eight interceptions. Advanced analytics haven’t been kind either; his 54.6 PFF grade ranks near the bottom of qualifying quarterbacks. Because of this, Bleacher Report’s Alex Kay suggested Minnesota could consider sidelining McCarthy next year and possibly reuniting with former franchise quarterback Kirk Cousins.

According to Kay, bringing Cousins back could make the Vikings competitive again, noting the team’s strong track record with him under center. Kevin O’Connell went 17–8 with Cousins, compared to just 2–3 with McCarthy, making a reunion at least worth discussing.

Kay: Vikings Should Consider Benching McCarthy for Cousins

Cousins is still under contract with the Atlanta Falcons through 2025, but the team already paid out most of his guaranteed money. That means Atlanta could move on from him this offseason without suffering major cap consequences. Cousins signed a massive four-year, $180 million deal last year but lost the starting job to rookie Michael Penix after just one season. This year, Cousins has played sparingly—one start and three appearances—completing 61.5% of his passes for 250 yards with no touchdowns or interceptions.

Since tearing his Achilles in 2023, Cousins hasn’t looked like the same player, and it’s unclear if he can return to his previous level. However, Penix’s season-ending knee injury gives Cousins a chance to start the rest of the year and prove he still has something left.

Even if Cousins finishes strong, it’s uncertain whether Minnesota would actually pursue a reunion. McCarthy has struggled, but he has shown flashes. In last week’s loss to the Chicago Bears, he delivered a clutch fourth-quarter drive—hitting six of eight passes for 77 yards and a touchdown—to briefly put the Vikings ahead before the defense let the lead slip away.

Could the Vikings bring in a veteran to push McCarthy in 2026? It’s definitely possible. But based on Cousins’ contract and his recent decline, he’s unlikely to be the one they target.