Vikings Exploring Alternatives to Struggling QB J.J. McCarthy

Insider suggests 49ers' Mac Jones as a potential target to compete for starting job

Feb. 19, 2026 at 1:31am by Ben Kaplan

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The Minnesota Vikings are reportedly considering alternatives to their 2024 first-round draft pick J.J. McCarthy, who struggled mightily in his first season as the team's starting quarterback. According to a Vikings insider, one potential target is San Francisco 49ers quarterback Mac Jones, who has a similar skill set and background to former Vikings starter Sam Darnold.

Why it matters

The Vikings invested heavily in McCarthy, but his poor performance last season has already put his long-term future with the team in question. Bringing in a veteran like Jones to compete for the starting job could provide a needed spark and push McCarthy to improve, or it could lead to a changing of the guard at the quarterback position.

The details

Vikings insider Alec Lewis reported that the team could explore trading for 49ers QB Mac Jones, who has a $1 million guaranteed salary for 2026 and has shown the ability to play through injury and win games in a similar offensive system to the one used in Minnesota. However, the 49ers are expected to drive a hard bargain to keep Jones, as losing him would likely result in a valuable compensatory draft pick for San Francisco.

  • J.J. McCarthy missed his entire rookie season with an injury in 2024.
  • McCarthy performed as one of the worst starting quarterbacks in the NFL in 2025.

The players

J.J. McCarthy

The Minnesota Vikings' 2024 first-round draft pick at quarterback, who struggled mightily in his first season as the team's starter in 2025.

Mac Jones

The San Francisco 49ers' quarterback, who has a similar skill set and background to former Vikings starter Sam Darnold and could be a target for Minnesota to compete with McCarthy.

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What they’re saying

“There is perhaps no candidate who checks more boxes for what the Vikings are looking for than San Francisco 49ers quarterback Mac Jones … He has the pedigree as a former first-rounder. Like former Vikings starter Sam Darnold, he spent a season with Kyle Shanahan in a similar system … His guaranteed salary for 2026 is only $1 million. And he has shown an ability to play through injury and win games.”

— Alec Lewis, Vikings insider

What’s next

The Vikings will need to determine if the cost to acquire Mac Jones from the 49ers is worth it, given his potential to compete with and potentially replace J.J. McCarthy as the team's starting quarterback.

The takeaway

The Vikings' investment in J.J. McCarthy has not yet paid off, and the team is already exploring alternatives at the quarterback position. Bringing in a veteran like Mac Jones to compete with McCarthy could provide a needed boost, but it will come at a cost that the Vikings must weigh carefully.