Just when you thought that discussion was over.
Kyler Murray, Carson Wentz, Max Brosmer, and J.J. McCarthy. The Minnesota Vikings have four quarterbacks on their roster, with three of them fitting a proposed role. The one quarterback who doesn't fit is McCarthy, unfortunately. Murray will start Week 1, Wentz will back up Murray, and Brosmer will be the emergency gameday third quarterback. McCarthy could have been the backup at least, but that's Wentz's job. It's hard to envision the former first-round pick as the emergency QB based on his draft investment and only in his third season.
Bleacher Report named McCarthy as one of eight players who could be traded. Sorry, I misquoted the headline. It's eight NFL "stars" that could be traded.
Gary Davenport of BR named the New York Jets and Arizona Cardinals as potential trade partners.
Labeling Minnesota Vikings quarterback J.J. McCarthy a 'star' may be premature, but the 2024 No. 10 overall pick is a starting quarterback—or at least he was.
Despite the fact that the Vikings signed Kyler Murray in the offseason, Minnesota head coach Kevin O'Connell insisted that the team hasn't given up on the Michigan product:
"McCarthy is a guy that wants to be great. I know he's going to work tirelessly to do that. I know his teammates have a lot of confidence in what he's going to go to work to improve on this offseason and come back and have a great offseason and be ready to hit the ground running in 2026. But I think a deep and talented quarterback room will only enhance his ability to do that, and I look forward to being a part of that process."
This is a trade that likely would not materialize until later in the summer, once the Vikings have a fuller evaluation of their quarterback room and acknowledge that, despite his flaws, Murray is currently the more proven NFL option than McCarthy.
The point is coming where Minnesota will have two choices: hand McCarthy a clipboard or trade the third-year pro while he still has some value.
Will McCarthy ever be a viable NFL starter? That remains unclear. With at least two years left on his rookie deal, a quarterback-needy team might still consider offering a second-round pick to the Vikings for the 23-year-old, even if that level of investment would be risky and could backfire—as many aggressive QB swings have for struggling franchises.
Minnesota would be wise to move on from McCarthy if they are willing to bring in Murray to start immediately.