According to ESPN’s NFL analyst, the Minnesota Vikings’ decision to bench JJ McCarthy is just beginning for what could be positive turnaround
Soon after the Minnesota Vikings decided to start Kyler Murray over JJ McCarthy at the quarterback position, the storyline around the latter’s benching is beginning to attract much buzz.
Recently, ESPN’s NFL analyst Booger McFarland talked about the encouraging side of being benched for McCarthy. According to him, the NFL Draft’s 10th overall pick could still be the franchise QB for the Vikings.
“I think if you’re JJ number one, this is just a setback. This is not the end of the story. I think we’ve seen several quarterbacks, (like) Baker Mayfield, Sam Darnold, (and) Geno Smith, that things didn’t always go well initially and now they’re starting quarterbacks in the National Football League,” Booger said during NFL on ESPN’s recent segment.
“I do not think, by no stretch of the imagination, is the J.J. McCarthy story over. As a matter of fact, I still think it’s just beginning.”@ESPNBooger believes J.J. McCarthy can still be the Vikings’ franchise QB 👀 pic.twitter.com/b9fDiKvQzi
— NFL on ESPN (@ESPNNFL) August 12, 2026
“So if you’re JJ McCarthy, yeah, you’re disappointed (given) he’s human. He’s gonna be disappointed to lose the competition. But at the end of the day, you sit back, and you learn. I think the number was like 64 or 65 quarterbacks played last year, so the likelihood of him playing this season is really high,” he added.
However, recently, McCarthy showed no signs of disappointment after losing his spot to Murray. Now he will shift to a backup role as decided by the team; this is surely not the end of the world for the talented young man.
“You learn when you get your opportunity, whether that’s this year in Minnesota, or whether that’s somebody else you come out, you take advantage of the opportunity. I do not think, by no stretch of the imagination, that is the JJ McCarthy story. Over, as a matter of fact. I still think it’s just beginning. He’s only got ten starts. So if you’re JJ, yeah, you can be disappointed, but don’t feel bad (for) long, brother,” Booger further added.
That being said, the Vikings are heading for a crucial matchup on Saturday when they play the New York Giants in MetLife Stadium. Stay tuned!
Soon after the Minnesota Vikings decided to start Kyler Murray over JJ McCarthy at the quarterback position, the storyline around the latter’s benching is beginning to attract much buzz. Recently, ESPN’s NFL analyst Booger McFarland talked about the encouraging side of being benched for McCarthy.
