Overview
- General manager Kwesi Adofo-Mensah praised McCarthy’s progress, citing improved pocket movement and preparation in recent weeks.
- McCarthy is sidelined with a small hairline fracture in his throwing hand and will miss Week 17, with Week 18 in doubt after earlier ankle and concussion absences.
- Alec Lewis of The Athletic argued Minnesota should enter a true quarterback marketplace in 2026 due to reliability concerns at the position.
- Dianna Russini said the organization still expects McCarthy to be on the roster next season, though internal confidence may have cooled.
- Reporting outlines options that include adding a veteran via free agency or trade or drafting another quarterback, with playoff urgency and a likely mid–first-round pick shaping the approach.