Fantasy Football News

The Vikings are trading QB J.J. McCarthy to the Giants for a fifth-round pick in the 2027 draft, according to multiple reports.

The Vikings are releasing QB Max Brosmer, who started two games for them last season, per NFL Network’s Ian Rapoport. That leaves Kyler Murray, Carson Wentz, and JJ McCarthy in the Vikings' QB room.

JJ McCarthy was announced as the Vikings' starting quarterback for their final preseason game, but Kevin Seifert of ESPN reports that he won't play tonight. McCarthy reportedly suffered a minor ankle injury last weekend and, after practicing lightly Monday and Tuesday, doesn't feel comfortable playing.

After signing with the team as a free agent this offseason, Kyler Murray has officially been named the starting quarterback for the Vikings per ESPN’s Adam Schefter. That decision makes former top-10 pick JJ McCarthy the backup.

Vikings WR Justin Jefferson spoke glowingly of QB Kyler Murray on Monday. “He understands the game. He understands the defenses," Jefferson said on KFAN. "He understands how to put touch on the ball, just enough to where it gets to where it’s gotta go, without making it difficult for us. He understands the game a lot more… he kinda throws the ball before you even get out that break… he’s a smart guy, and he’s a competitor.”

Vikings HC Kevin O’Connell was asked on KFAN1003 about the new offense with Kyler Murray at the helm. O’Connell called it the “Justin Jefferson program” and might have revealed some expectations for new QB Kyler Murray. O’Connell also mentioned that defenses will want to have a spy for Murray (and then quickly added, or “any of our other QBs”). But, the comment shows a potential plan for the offense: help Justin Jefferson get open by forcing defenses to respect Murray’s rushing.

The Vikings are signing QB Kyler Murray to a one-year deal, according to multiple reports. That sets him up to compete with third-year QB J.J. McCarthy for the starting job in 2026. NFL Network's Tom Pelissero reports that the deal includes a "no-tag clause." So Murray's clearly hoping to prove himself this season and then land a big deal ahead of 2027.

Vikings WR Justin Jefferson went 8-101-0 on 11 targets in Week 18, catching passes from QBs J.J. McCarthy and Max Brosmer. That puts Jefferson at 85-1048-2 for the entire season. He had 141 targets on the season, only catching 60.3% of his targets on the year. It does mark his sixth straight season over 1,000 yards receiving. Despite the success, Jefferson will enter next season with uncertainty around the Vikings’ passing game.

Vikings QB J.J. McCarthy re-injured his right hand early in the third quarter of Sunday's game vs. the Packers and is officially questionable to return. He completed 14 of 23 passes for 182 yards before exiting. We'll update his status when we know more. QB Max Brosmer has replaced McCarthy.

Vikings QB J.J. McCarthy (right hand) will start this weekend’s game vs. the Packers, HC Kevin O’Connell announced on Friday. It’ll be one more shot for McCarthy to build some momentum heading into the offseason, where he’ll likely face competition for the starting job. McCarthy gets a Green Bay defense that ranks 12th in adjusted fantasy points allowed to QBs but is expected to rest some starters in this one.

Vikings QB J.J. McCarthy (right hand) got in a limited practice on Wednesday. We'll see if he can make it back for this weekend's finale vs. the Packers, who are expected to rest some starters. McCarthy would be in play in superflex leagues and daily tournaments.

Vikings QB J.J. McCarthy has a hairline fracture in his right hand and is out for Thursday's game vs. the Lions, HC Kevin O'Connell said Tuesday. We imagine that McCarthy will also miss the season finale, but we'll keep you updated on his status. McCarthy's absence on Christmas puts QB Max Brosmer back under center. He threw for 126 yards, 0 TDs, and 4 INTs in a Week 13 loss in Seattle. The spot on Thursday -- at home for Detroit's 26th-ranked QB defense -- is much better. But Brosmer isn't even a recommended QB2 start and adds a ton of risk to Minnesota's skill-position players.

Vikings RB Aaron Jones logged a season-high 21 carries in Minnesota's 16-13 Week 16 win over the Giants. Jones, who briefly exited the game in the first quarter with a minor ankle injury, also had his highest rushing total (85) and snap count (39) of the 2025 season. No. 2 RB Jordan Mason, who had a 47% snap share and 51% rush share heading into Week 16, was carted off the field in the second quarter with an ankle injury and quickly ruled out. With Mason absent, Jones' expanded workload resulted in him surpassing double-digit fantasy points for the first time since Week 11.

Vikings QB J.J. McCarthy's right hand is not broken, according to The Minnesota Star Tribune's Ben Goessling. McCarthy is set for further testing on the hand tomorrow, per Goessling. We should learn more over the next 24 hours, but we'd still consider McCarthy very uncertain for Thursday's game vs. the Lions considering it's his throwing hand. McCarthy's absence would put QB Max Brosmer back under center for Minnesota.