JJ McCarthy Losing Starting Job to Offseason Signing Kyler Murray Stuns Fans – “JJ Fan Boys in Absolute Shambles”

JJ McCarthy was already on the back foot once the Minnesota Vikings signed Kyler Murray in the offseason.

JJ McCarthy Losing Starting Job to Offseason Signing Kyler Murray Stuns Fans – “JJ Fan Boys in Absolute Shambles”

Kyler Murray and JJ McCarthy (Image via Mirror US Sports/Barstool Sports/X)

When the Minnesota Vikings signed Kyler Murray in the offseason, it was a sign that the franchise wants to push JJ McCarthy to elevate his game if he wants to keep his starting job.

The Michigan alum did not do a bad job last season, registering a 6-4 record. Four of those wins came in the final few weeks of the regular season, which meant that the momentum was on his side.

But except for the 34-26 win over the Dallas Cowboys, McCarthy could not muster up more than 182 yards in any of those wins. In fact, that game at AT&T Stadium was only the second time the young QB threw for more than 200 yards.

His completion percentage improved later in the season, which probably gave Minnesota Vikings fans the impression that the 23-year-old would get better next season with Kevin O’Connell orchestrating the offense.

But lo and behold, those hopes were dented when the franchise signed Murray. Even though the veteran has had some questionable seasons leading the Arizona Cardinals, it was clear that O’Connell held the quarterback in high regard.

Now, that view has helped the 29-year-old secure the starting quarterback job even before a preseason game played out. While other teams are waiting for those games to decide on their starting signal caller, the Vikings are already sure Kyler Murray is their man.

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JJ McCarthy going back to the bench draws varied reactions

What this news also confirms is that JJ McCarthy will go back to the bench and back up Kyler Murray. To the uninitiated, this news might not surprise many, considering the latter’s experience and talent with the ball in his hands.

But what fans mostly reacted to was the news of the young QB losing his job. They felt that all the McCarthy fanboys and the PR effort that was in the works were going to have a hard time swallowing this.

They also felt that the Vikings were making the right choice, since the Illinois native was overhyped coming into the 2024 Draft. Check out examples of those reactions below.

JJ McCarthy might still be the Minnesota Vikings’ future. After all, he is still young and learning, and the franchise invested a first-round pick in him. That could indicate that they will give him time. But this decision to promote Kyler Murray without testing them out in a preseason raises questions about McCarthy’s future.

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Vikings head coach warns JJ McCarthy not to get complacent

Among the many reactions, some questioned whether this decision indicated the Minnesota Vikings were moving on from JJ McCarthy. When head coach Kevin O’Connell was speaking with the media, a reporter asked him whether his young QB has a future with the team.

Kevin O'Connell and McCarthy
Kevin O’Connell and McCarthy (Image via Vikingz Fan Page/X)

He’s gotta also understand that this isn’t just a long-term mindset, which we wanna have, always for a player of his caliber and a young player like him. But it could be an immediate response needed.

O’Connell replied

The 41-year-old did confirm that his younger playmaker does have a future with the team. However, he did warn McCarthy that the QB should not think of this as a long-term move and get complacent.

O’Connell and the Vikings are expecting a response soon. It could indicate that the franchise wants their young QB to improve as soon as possible. If not, he could stay in that backup role for longer than he may like.

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