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The Minnesota Vikings have battled their way back to .500, sitting at 8-8 as Week 18 approaches. Yet their future at quarterback is as murky as ever.
Their 23-10 victory over the Detroit Lions on Christmas Day featured one of the most dominant defensive performances in recent memory. But they got little help from the passing game, which netted only 3 passing yards.
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The Bleacher Report staff highlighted the stark contrast in Minnesota's roster quality and quarterback play as their biggest takeaway from the win.
The Vikings let the QB leading the NFC's No. 1 seed walk out the door in favor of an inconsistent, oft-injured youngster, kept largely because of sunk-cost fallacy. But now the team has to decide what to do next.
Does J.J. McCarthy get another shot to lead the offense in 2026, or will the Vikings look for a reset with a veteran?
It's a question that will define 2026 just as the decision to move on from Sam Darnold defined 2025. But given the team's salary-cap situation, it may be a decision that will be made more from necessity than desire.
For the third straight season, all eyes will be on the Vikings' decision at quarterback. Even if the team is confident that McCarthy can develop this offseason, his inability to stay healthy has forced Minnesota to find a competent backup who can operate the offense at an NFL level.
Coaches have raved about rookie backup Max Brosmer, too, but he has struggled even more than McCarthy in two starts. He threw four interceptions against the Seattle Seahawks on Nov. 30 before his 51-yard performance against the Lions on Christmas.
The Vikings have a roster that should be getting ready for the postseason. If they can't figure out the quarterback position this spring, they'll be missing the playoffs again next year.
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This article originally appeared on Vikings Wire: The Minnesota Vikings questions at QB aren't going anywhere in 2026
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