Do the Vikings Have Too Many Quarterbacks?

Murray has been signed, and Wentz was brought back. He is the most capable backup on the roster, and if (see: when) McCarthy loses the competition, it makes more sense for him to operate as the third quarterback. There is also a developmental product, Max Brosmer.

Jan 17, 2022; Los Angeles, California, USA; Arizona Cardinals quarterback Kyler Murray (1) warms up before playing against the Los Angeles Rams in the NFC Wild Card playoff game. Mandatory Credit: Michael Chow-Arizona Republic NFC Wild Card Playoff Cardinals Vs Rams. © Michael Chow / USA TODAY NETWORK.

There is no chance the Vikings carry four quarterbacks on their active roster, and Brosmer can be stashed on the practice squad. However, there are only a finite number of reps to go around. If Brosmer is going to be a long-term down-roster play, then McCarthy seems like the most straightforward player to move on from.

Going into his third professional season, the Vikings will need to decide if they are picking up McCarthy’s fifth-year option next offseason. That’s an expensive proposition for a guy who may have played just 10 games and not shown any consistent results. Minnesota could have traded him prior to or during the NFL Draft, but they may have another opportunity during training camp.

Minnesota Vikings quarterback Carson Wentz goes through pregame warmups before a matchup against the Philadelphia Eagles at U.S. Bank Stadium on Oct. 19, 2025, in Minneapolis, Minnesota. The veteran passer prepared on the field prior to kickoff while serving as a depth option for the Vikings during the 2025 season. Mandatory Credit: Brad Rempel-Imagn Images.

McCarthy is never going to net the value necessary to take him with the 10th overall pick. He could, however, be dangled to a team wanting to use him this year, get some draft compensation, and remove the opportunity that he’s little more than a distraction.

It’s unlikely that O’Connell has the time to develop both McCarthy and Brosmer behind the scenes this season. If Murray works, neither will be necessary in the years to come anyway. Four quarterbacks are a lot of mouths to feed, and whittling that group down isn’t an outlandish suggestion.