HOW J.J. MCCARTHY PLANS TO USE "AVAILABILITY AS A SKILL" TO WIN BACK QB1
The Minnesota Vikings are refusing to commit to J.J. McCarthy for 2026. Discover their plan to build a competitive QB room.
This past season, Minnesota Vikings GM Kwesi Adofo-Mensah had some sleepless nights wondering where he went wrong. Why were quarterback issues causing so many losses, and what could he do to fix it for 2026?
It's easy to look back and judge based on results, Adofo-Mensah said. But thinking about what we knew then, I still understand our decisions. The results might not have been what we hoped for. Ultimately, we could have done a better job with player acquisitions.
Not pointing fingers at specific players, but we could have better matched the room's playstyle and experience. Putting together a better group overall – that's what I'm focusing on.
This explains why the Vikings plan to repeat a similar process for their quarterback situation this offseason, but with a stronger focus on getting better results. Adofo-Mensah and coach Kevin O'Connell both emphasised the depth they want around J.J. McCarthy. Neither is committed to McCarthy as the starter for 2026, but they also haven't given up on him after his rocky rookie season with injuries.
Basically, the Vikings are in a similar position to last year: hoping to pair McCarthy with a capable quarterback who can compete for the starting role and provide insurance against injuries or slow development.
Last year, they thought Daniel Jones would be that guy, but he signed with the Indianapolis Colts. McCarthy then became the default starter after the team put together a depth chart that included Sam Howell, Brett Rypien, and Max Brosmer. The Vikings ended up ranking 29th in the NFL in team QBR (34.9).
Late in the season, ESPN questioned whether the Vikings might pursue a quarterback with the credentials to immediately take over from McCarthy as the starter in 2026. No one ruled it out. At the very least, the Vikings will likely target a quarterback similar to Jones in 2025, who won the Colts' job in training camp and started 13 games before getting injured.
'I definitely want a competitive situation,' O'Connell said.
Just as they weren't sure if McCarthy was ready to start in 2025, the Vikings didn't see enough last season to be sure he'll progress enough to lead them to the playoffs in 2026. When asked if he wanted McCarthy to be the starter, Adofo-Mensah paused before saying, I want the Vikings to reach our goals.
And making playoff runs is one of those goals, Adofo-Mensah added. I think he has the character and skill to be that person for our team. But saying that for 2026 kind of limits us; I need to build a deep, competitive quarterback room for the Vikings.
This means the Vikings will again walk a tightrope that failed them last season. The limited number of starting-calibre quarterbacks in the NFL means that players like Jones have options. Jones chose the Colts because he saw a clearer path to the starting job. By the time he made that decision, the Vikings couldn't use their franchise tag to keep 2024 starter Sam Darnold. The remaining quarterbacks weren't as good, leading the Vikings to acquire Howell.
Can the Vikings find someone better in 2026? Jones is again a free agent, but the Colts want to re-sign him. Unless the Vikings make a major trade for someone like Joe Burrow, the available options will have flaws.
Backup Malik Willis is a free agent and likely to have interest from other teams. The Falcons might release Kirk Cousins. Aaron Rodgers and Joe Flacco will be free agents. So will Jimmy Garoppolo and Russell Wilson.
Mac Jones and Geno Smith could be traded, and the Dolphins might move on from Tua Tagovailoa. Jones has been a backup for two seasons, Smith ranked 27th in NFL QBR this season, and Tagovailoa ranked 26th.
The best scenario for the Vikings is for McCarthy to improve this offseason quickly and learn how to avoid injuries. McCarthy said his performance and health are connected: 'I feel like the injuries will slowly fade away with just more awareness,' and Adofo-Mensah agreed that being available is a skill.
Adofo-Mensah and O'Connell made it clear that they can't rely on that progress. It's understandable, but finding a quarterback is tough. The Vikings had a good plan in 2025, but couldn't make it happen. Can they do better this time? Their 2026 season likely depends on it.
TRADE RUMOR PEAK: MAXX CROSBY COULD BE TRADED "THIS WEEK" SAYS INSIDER JAMES PALMER
Maxx Crosby to be traded? Read about GM John Spytek's rebuild plan, James Palmer's prediction, and the 2026 NFL Draft impact.
Maxx Crosby’s future with the Raiders is up in the air, and things might finally start to make sense soon. The team sat him out for the last games of the 2025 season, and ever since, rumours about his next move have taken off. With free agency heating up and the 2026 NFL Draft on the horizon, the Raiders are at a crossroads. If they think this rebuild is going to drag on, now’s probably the best shot they’ll get to trade Crosby for a haul of picks. By the time they’re good again, Crosby could be past his best years, so flipping him now actually helps speed up the rebuild.
James Palmer from The Athletic didn’t hold back on the March 4 episode of “Wake Up Barstool". He thinks things could move fast. “Honestly, I wouldn’t be surprised if Crosby gets traded this week,” Palmer said. “If you’re John Spytek, the Raiders’ new GM, and you want to get max value, you move early before teams start blowing their budgets on other edge rushers. Make your move before the frenzy starts, and you’re in the driver’s seat.”
The Raiders know what they’re dealing with. Palmer pointed out that Spytek gets it; this rebuild isn’t happening overnight. When Palmer talked to him at the Combine, Spytek made it clear: they don’t want to lose Crosby. But he was blunt about where the team stands. “We have to be honest with ourselves,” Spytek told him. “This isn’t going to be fixed tomorrow.” So, is Crosby still a key piece a year or two from now? Maybe not. His value probably won’t get any higher than it is right now, and the front office knows it. They’re not out there pushing Crosby on the market, but they’re listening. Teams are calling. People want him.
NFL players are weighing in, too. Raheem Mostert, when asked about Crosby on “Good Morning Football", got real about it: “It’s a tough call. Maxx is one of the most loyal guys you could have in your locker room, and he gives everything to the team and the community. Mark Davis loves him; everybody does. But as a player, sometimes you realise it’s time for a new chapter, especially when things just aren’t working out. I’ve been there. It’ll be interesting to see what happens whether Crosby stays or goes; the trade talks will be wild.”
So, right now, nobody knows for sure, but the next few weeks should tell us a lot about where Maxx Crosby and the Raiders are headed.
THE MISSING SLIDER: WHEN WILL GERRIT COLE START THROWING HIS SECONDARY BREAKING PITCHES?
Gerrit Cole is throwing heat! Read about his 97 MPH fastball, his mid-season return, and how he saves the Yankees' 2026 rotation.
The Yankees are putting a lot on Gerrit Cole’s shoulders this season, especially after his elbow surgery. Cole’s 35 now. He had Tommy John surgery and missed all of 2025. Before that, in 2024, he threw 95 innings with a 3.41 ERA.
He saw this coming with his elbow, honestly. And his contract added some drama. There was an opt-out after 2024, but the Yankees could cancel it by just tacking on another year at $36 million. Since Cole needed surgery, both sides agreed to leave the deal alone: no opt-out, no extra year. That way, Cole could just focus on getting healthy without worrying about his future.
And, man, Cole looks ready. He’s been sharp this spring, already touching 97 mph with his fastball. That’s not rehab speed; that’s what he throws in games. The Yankees wanted to see that, and they have.
Brendan Kuty from The Athletic said on the Fireside Yankees podcast that Cole looks good. Sure, he’s just throwing fastballs right now, but 97 is 97. Even for an inning, he doesn’t look hurt. He didn’t cruise through his rehab either. The Yankees’ season really rides on him. If he’s healthy and pitching well, this team is in a much better spot.
That’s basically the story. The Yankees are pretty much the same team that lost to the Blue Jays in the ALDS. They brought in Ryan Weathers and kept Cody Bellinger and Paul Blackburn, but that’s about it. If Cole comes back around late May or early June and pitches as he did in 2023, when he put up a 2.82 ERA, suddenly this team feels different.
Let’s talk rotation. Right now, the Yankees start the year with Max Fried, Cam Schlittler, Will Warren, Ryan Weathers, and Luis Gil. Fried’s the ace. Schlittler showed flashes last year but still needs to get his secondary pitches working. Warren’s fastball is legit, but when he can’t land his breaking stuff, he struggles. Weather? He’s got upside but can’t stay healthy. Gil is fun to watch, but up and down.
This group might win 85-90 games. It’s not a World Series rotation, though. Add Cole, and the whole picture changes. Fried and Cole at the top can match up with anybody in October. Schlittler slides to third, so there’s less pressure on him.
Don’t forget Carlos Rodon; he’s coming back from elbow surgery, too, and should return by late April or early May. So by June, the Yankees could be rolling out Fried, Rodon, and Cole. That’s a huge step up from where they started the season.
But it’s not just about velocity with Cole. He’s focusing on his fastball right now; sliders and breaking balls come later. He hopes to be back in late May or early June. Seeing him throw that hard is a good sign, but the real test is when he starts mixing in his full arsenal. His slider is nasty, his curve sets up his heater, and his changeup keeps hitters honest.
Kuty also said it’s not just the speed; it’s how intense and smooth he looks. Like, get ready; this could be special as Cole finds his rhythm again.
That edge is what sets great pitchers apart. Cole doesn’t just throw hard. He’s a competitor. He attacks hitters and makes them uncomfortable, even when they know what’s coming. You can’t measure that on a radar gun, but it’s huge in the postseason.
Even if Cole comes back at 75%, he’s still a major boost for this team. Seriously, a 75% Cole is better than most starters at full strength. If he’s sitting 95-96 instead of 97-98, fine. If his slider isn’t as sharp, they’ll take it. If he can give them 160-170 innings and an ERA around 3.50, that’s a win.
The Yankees don’t need him to be the Cy Young runner-up from 2023. They need him to take the ball, keep them in games, and eat innings. If he does that, the rotation goes from shaky to solid.
If he’s fully back by September, the Yankees are set. That’s when you want your ace healthy. Playoff baseball is all about pitching depth, and having Cole, Fried, and Rodon can change everything.
They can live with a slow start if they know Cole’s coming. They can deal with young pitchers taking their lumps because help is on the way. But if Cole really looks like himself when he returns, this team suddenly has one of the best rotations in baseball.
For now, everyone’s watching the next bullpen. Can he snap off the slider? Is the curve still nasty? The answers will tell you if the Yankees are for real this year.
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