Future Hall of Famer and CBS analyst J.J. Watt didn't mean to spill the beans, but his latest social media post just did. While prepping for his Week 1 broadcast, Watt shared a photo that seemingly revealed the Minnesota Vikings' quarterback pecking order—and it's not good news for J.J. McCarthy.
The Vikings have been keeping their QB depth chart under wraps, but Watt's photo, posted on X (formerly Twitter) with the caption, "You can start to feel it in the air…," shows Carson Wentz listed as the No. 2 quarterback behind starter Kyler Murray. McCarthy, the former top-10 pick, is listed as the third-stringer.
Fans were quick to catch the slip. "Accidentally leaked that JJ is QB3 lol," one fan wrote. Another joked, "Mr. Watt is about to get a call from Mr. O'Connell for spoiling his QB2 plans." A third chimed in, "Hahaha! JJ just spoiled the news that Wentz is QB2. McCarthy has been relegated to third-string."
The revelation comes as no surprise to those who've followed McCarthy's rocky start to his NFL career. Last season, he completed just 57.6% of his passes for 1,632 yards, with 11 touchdowns and 12 interceptions—hardly the numbers of a franchise quarterback. Meanwhile, Wentz, who signed late in the 2025 preseason, proved a capable backup, and with a full offseason under his belt, he's earned the trust of the coaching staff.
Rumors have been swirling for weeks that the Vikings might move on from McCarthy entirely. The team has reportedly been exploring trade options, but so far, no deal has materialized. According to Pro Football Talk's Mike Florio, McCarthy's guaranteed salary—$1.075 million for 2026 and $3.775 million for 2027—could complicate any trade, potentially forcing the Vikings to eat a chunk of that money to facilitate a deal.
The pressure on McCarthy has been mounting, with fans at recent preseason games chanting for him to be benched. If he's relegated to third-string for the entire 2026 season, McCarthy could push for a fresh start next offseason. For now, though, he'll have to develop behind the scenes and hope for a chance to prove his doubters wrong.
Watt's accidental leak has added fuel to an already fiery debate in Minnesota. With the season opener against the Green Bay Packers just days away, the Vikings' QB situation is now front and center. Will McCarthy get another shot, or is his time in purple already numbered? Only time will tell, but one thing's for sure: J.J. Watt just made things a whole lot more interesting.
