A new report reveals what the Minnesota Vikings could get in a JJ McCarthy trade after signing Kyler Murray on Thursday.
Following the 2025 season, it wasn’t long before rumors emerged that the Vikings would look to add a veteran quarterback to compete with McCarthy for the starting job next season. Greybeards like Kirk Cousins and Aaron Rodgers were two names linked to the team. However, this week, Minnesota made a notable splash by signing the 28-year-old two-time Pro Bowler.
Due to Murray’s upside under head coach Kevin O’Connell, he is a lock to be the team’s starting QB in Week 1, barring injury. This puts McCarthy in a difficult spot where he won’t even get a chance to compete for the QB1 spot after an underwhelming sophomore NFL season in 2025. It opens the door to the idea that the Vikings could potentially move the prospect in a trade this offseason.
Vikings trading JJ McCarthy can’t be ruled out
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Matt Blewett-Imagn Images
But would Minnesota really move on from McCarthy after using a first-round pick on him in 2024? According to The Athletic’s Alec Lewis, the possibility “cannot be ruled out.”
“Two factors matter in the overall calculus: How perturbed are McCarthy and his camp by the Murray signing? And what would other teams offer?” Lewis writes.
Furthermore, the Vikings reporter claims, “It would be a surprise if the Vikings didn’t” add another veteran signal-caller to their QB room this offseason. Adding more fuel to the idea that the team may have soured on McCarthy after two seasons, because if they believed in him, they would be confident about their options if Murray missed time.
What could the Vikings get in a JJ McCarthy trade?
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Jeffrey Becker-Imagn Images
So what could the team get in a potential trade if they decided to move McCarthy in the next few months, or before the NFL trade deadline next season? Lewis offered up some insight on the likely return with the information teams have about the former first-round pick.
“Six years ago, the Arizona Cardinals fetched second- and fifth-round picks from the Miami Dolphins for young former first-rounder Josh Rosen. He quickly flamed out. Given how aware other teams are of the hurdles McCarthy has faced in his first two seasons, expecting a commensurate return is lofty,” Lewis wrote.
Based on the Vikings reporter’s assessment, maybe a third and fifth rounder, a second and seventh, or just a second rounder could be what the team gets in a McCarthy trade.
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After earning his journalism degree in 2017, Jason Burgos served as a contributor to several sites, including MMA Sucka ... More about Jason Burgos