Vikings can get perfect J.J. McCarthy answer with 1 free agent move

The Minnesota Vikings aren't in a great spot at quarterback with J.J. McCarthy, and it is all of their own doing.

Having let Sam Darnold go in the offseason, the Vikings decided to move forward with McCarthy, and that move, at least right now, appears to be the wrong one.

With reports that the Vikings aren't that sold on McCarthy going forward, the franchise could look toward a veteran to push the young quarterback to develop into something.

For CBS Sports' John Breech, he's named the ideal free agent Minnesota should target in an attempt to find out what they have in McCarthy -- Geno Smith.

"If the Vikings still want to see what they have in J.J. McCarthy, signing Smith would make some sense," Breech wrote. "They could have McCarthy compete against a proven veteran in training camp and let the best man win. If McCarthy can't beat out Smith, the Vikings would know it might be time to move on."

More: Ravens' Maxx Crosby's latest comment should terrify AFC

What will Vikings do with McCarthy?

It is hard to envision the Vikings moving on from J.J., after all, 2025 was his first year as a starter, so the jury is still out on him as a franchise quarterback.

But the Vikings appear to be in win-now mode with their roster, and some aren't sure they can afford to waste the season trying to develop McCarthy. On the other hand, McCarthy needs reps to be able to show what he's capable of.

Getting Smith in as a player to push McCarthy in a quarterback battle isn't a bad idea. 

No disrespect to Geno, but if J.J. can't beat him in a quarterback battle, then, as Breech stated, it might be time to move on.

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McCarthy's future with the Vikings appears murky at best, and it doesn't look like it will change anytime soon.