Vikings Insiders Dish on 'Brutal' J.J. McCarthy Era, 'Eye-Rolls' About 'Nine' Nickname

It sounds like the Minnesota Vikings won't be looking back fondly at the J.J. McCarthy era after this week's trade with the New York Giants.

The Athletic's Alec Lewis spoke to a team staffer who revealed that the Vikings had lost faith in McCarthy since his disappointing 2025 season.

"I knew this was going to be up and down when we made that choice this spring (to move forward with McCarthy as the starter), but it has just been brutal," the staffer said.

The Vikings moved up in the 2024 NFL draft to select McCarthy 10th overall. His shortcomings were quickly on display, as Lewis reported that "in the immediate aftermath of the draft, several team sources acknowledged that McCarthy had work to do. He would have to eliminate his overstriding on throws and develop better touch."

After missing his entire rookie year due to knee surgery, McCarthy was handed the reins as Minnesota's starting quarterback entering the 2025 campaign. However, he struggled to stay healthy and appeared in just 10 games due to multiple injuries, finishing with 1,632 yards, 11 touchdowns and 12 interceptions. The Vikings brought in veteran signal-caller Kyler Murray this offseason, and McCarthy was demoted to QB3 behind him and veteran backup Carson Wentz.

Lewis also explained that McCarthy's immaturity affected his tenure in Minnesota. His comments regarding his "Nine" alter ego reportedly "earned several internal eye-rolls," and he "similarly baffled members of the organization when he told reporters that he bucked his coaches' advice by dancing the 'Griddy' before he reached the end zone against the Cowboys in Week 15."

"These bouts of youth and defiance, evident both in front of the cameras and away from them inside the TCO Performance Center, were troubling for Vikings executives and coaches," Lewis added.

Now, McCarthy will have to win over a new franchise as he makes a fresh start with the Giants, who acquired him after second-year quarterback Jaxson Dart suffered a season-ending knee injury. He will serve as the backup to veteran signal-caller Jameis Winston, so he should use the rest of the 2026 season to learn and develop as he tries to revive his reputation.