Tyler Sullivan#27 of 87 NFL pundits · Aug 26, 2026
A CBS Sports piece argues J.J. McCarthy and the Vikings will split before the 2026 regular season, and that Carson Wentz is poised to pass them on the depth chart as Kyler Murray's primary backup, pushing McCarthy to QB3.
Published in writing · CBS SportsRead the original
What Tyler Sullivan said
our reading, beside the words we read it fromIn a broader sense, the best path forward for both parties in the wake of not naming him the starter appears to be going their separate ways before the 2026 regular-season campaign begins.
- Where it was published
- CBS Sports
- The piece
- What should Vikings do with J.J. McCarthy? Divorce seems inevitable after losing starting job to Kyler Murray
- The original
- Read the original
- Read it wrong?
- Tell us and we will look
- 1J.J. McCarthy to move to Minnesota Vikings“the best path forward for both parties in the wake of not naming him the starter appears to be going their separate ways before the 2026 regular-season campaign begins. And Minnesota may already be laying the groundwork to walk down that road with their 2024 first-round pick.”
- 2J.J. McCarthy to be 3rd on the depth chart“It's already run out on his chances to be QB1, and that soon may also be the case for QB2 duties... If Wentz does leap over McCarthy on the depth chart, and the former first-rounder is relegated to third string”
- 3Carson Wentz to be 2nd on the depth chart“It's those continued misses on what should be layup throws that are opening the door for Wentz to potentially leapfrog him on the quarterback depth chart as the primary backup to Murray.”
Box score
HitCloseMissWaiting| Verdict | Call | Kind | What happened | Score | Naive | Skill |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| J.J. McCarthy to move to Minnesota Vikings1 | Trade and Signing Calls | — | — | — | — | |
| J.J. McCarthy to be 3rd on the depth chart2 | Depth Chart Calls | — | — | — | — | |
| Carson Wentz to be 2nd on the depth chart3 | Depth Chart Calls | — | — | — | — | |
| 3 calls · 3 waiting | — | — | ||||
How each call scored
3 checkable claims — 2 depth chart calls and 1 trade and signing call — each graded on its own rather than as one all-or-nothing call.
It names 3 players and teams, each linked to their own record.
None of them have settled yet — they grade once their results are in.
Of the 2 unsettled calls enough other pundits have weighed in on, this one lands above the rest of the room on every one.
Each call is scored 0 to 100 against what happened, on its own, by the published methodology. The naive guess is what knowing nothing would have scored on the same calls; the gap, weighted by how hard the call was, is the skill.
Where this call stands in the room
Carson Wentz · 2026 season17 calls from 14 pundits between 1 and 2. Tyler Sullivan said 2. the room's median is 1. not settled yet
Every dot is a call somebody published on the same question. Where the dots land says where this take sits, not whether it is right — nothing here is settled yet. Hover a dot for the name and number; click it to read that take.
1Trade and Signing CallsJ.J. McCarthyMinnesota Vikings
J.J. McCarthy to move to Minnesota Vikings
VerdictWaitingNot settled yet. This is graded once the result is in.
2Depth Chart CallsJ.J. McCarthyMinnesota Vikings
J.J. McCarthy to be 3rd on the depth chart
VerdictWaitingNot settled yet. This is graded once the result is in.
3Depth Chart CallsCarson WentzMinnesota Vikings
Carson Wentz to be 2nd on the depth chart
VerdictWaitingNot settled yet. This is graded once the result is in.
Who this take is about
Others on the same people
Logan Lazarczyk · Trade and Signing Calls · Kirk Cousins · Hit 100
Ahead of the trade deadline, they float three Raiders moves: shipping Kirk Cousins to Minnesota if the Vikings offer a second-round pick, selling Maxx Crosby to Dallas for a first-rounder plus, and acquiring Jaguars receiver Brian Thomas Jr. for a second- or third-round pick.Patricia Traina · Trade and Signing Calls · J.J. McCarthy · Hit 100
Traina expects defensive tackle to be a top need for the Giants in next year's draft, and suggests the Giants could trade J.J. McCarthy next offseason — or keep both them and Jaxson Dart if the return isn't good enough. They also expect Dart to make a full recovery.Charean Williams · Roster Spot Calls · Odell Beckham Jr. · Miss 0
Williams writes that after releasing Odell Beckham Jr. to open a roster spot for Kirk Cousins, the Vikings will bring them back on the practice squad.Justin Penik · Trade and Signing Calls · Aaron Jones · Hit 100
Pennock predicted Sam Darnold to Pittsburgh, Zach Baun re-signing in Philadelphia, Charvarius Ward and Jamien Sherwood to Washington, Cam Robinson to Chicago as left tackle, Cam Bynum to the Jets, Darius Slayton to the Chargers, Aaron Jones back to Minnesota and Aaron Rodgers to the Giants.
More depth chart calls
The same kind of call, about other players and teams.
Michael Moore · Depth Chart Calls · Shedeur Sanders · Hit 100
In a Week 9 injury roundup, Moore forecast which banged-up fantasy contributors would play or sit: Deshaun Watson, Garrett Wilson, David Montgomery, Mike Evans, Deebo Samuel, TreVeyon Henderson and Terrance Ferguson are expected out, while Travis Kelce, Saquon Barkley, Michael Wilson, Christian Watson and Emeka Egbuka should play. They also expect Shedeur Sanders and Drew Lock to start at quarterback.Nic Bodiford · Depth Chart Calls · Joe Fagnano · Hit 100
Previewing Week 9 running game matchups, Bodiford expects Jacksonville to win lopsidedly over a depleted Baltimore team, with Bhayshul Tuten sitting out and Chris Rodriguez taking over as lead back, while Joe Fagnano starts at quarterback for the Ravens. They also view Broncos rookie Jonah Coleman as an RB2 going forward.