As the NFL's roster cutdown deadline looms this Sunday, the Minnesota Vikings face a unique quarterback conundrum that could reshape their depth chart. Head coach Kevin O'Connell, speaking after Friday's preseason finale against the Broncos, refused to rule out the possibility of keeping all four quarterbacks on the 53-man roster. "I don't think it is out of the question that we try to keep all of those guys," O'Connell said, per a transcript provided by Denver. "But at the same time, we got to do what's best for our team."
The quartet in question includes presumed starter Kyler Murray, veteran backup Carson Wentz, 2025 first-round pick J.J. McCarthy, and rookie Max Brosmer. O'Connell emphasized the deliberate construction of a deep quarterback room, noting that "all four of those guys had their moments throughout the last month and six weeks." This sentiment underscores the front office's investment in developing talent, but it also creates a roster crunch at other positions.
The McCarthy Question
Perhaps the most intriguing storyline is the status of J.J. McCarthy, who started for Minnesota in 2025 but has been sidelined with a lingering health issue. When pressed on McCarthy's standing, O'Connell offered a carefully worded response that stopped short of a firm commitment. "We're going to obviously evaluate our entire depth chart now," he said. "First and foremost, we got to cut down our football team... We don't have any long term concerns, still consider him day-to-day." This leaves the door ajar for a surprising outcome: McCarthy being waived and potentially landing on the practice squad.
Such a scenario, while unprecedented for a top-10 pick, is not without precedent in the NFL. McCarthy's fully guaranteed contract through 2027 makes him an unlikely waiver claim, as another team would absorb that financial commitment. If he clears waivers, the Vikings could offer him a practice squad spot—a humbling step for a player once seen as the franchise's future. However, as Vulius Sports analysis notes, McCarthy's path to playing time is blocked by Murray and possibly Wentz, making a fresh start elsewhere attractive if another team offers a clearer route to the field.
Trade Winds and Roster Math
Keeping four quarterbacks would require sacrifices elsewhere, a dilemma O'Connell acknowledged. "We got to do what's best for our team," he reiterated, hinting at ongoing evaluations across all positions. The Vikings could explore trade options for McCarthy or Brosmer, though the market for backup QBs is often thin. Alternatively, they might release one and hope to stash him on the practice squad, a risky move given waiver claims.
As reported by the Vulius NFL Analysis Desk, the decision carries significant implications for Minnesota's 2026 season. With Murray entrenched as QB1 and Wentz impressing in preseason, McCarthy's role is far from guaranteed. The team must weigh his long-term potential against immediate roster needs, a calculus that will unfold by Sunday at 4:00 p.m. ET.
For now, O'Connell remains noncommittal, but the clock is ticking. Whether the Vikings keep four quarterbacks, trade one, or make a surprising cut, the outcome will reverberate across the league. As Vulius has highlighted, this is a defining moment for Minnesota's quarterback room and a testament to the depth they've assembled—a luxury that comes with its own set of headaches.
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