Mike McCarthy J.J. McCarthy
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NFL media analyst suggested the Pittsburgh Steelers should pursue a trade for quarterback J.J. McCarthy this offseason.
The Pittsburgh Steelers have yet to find their next franchise quarterback since Ben Roethlisberger’s departure. The Steelers haven’t even found a signal-caller to win them a playoff game this decade.
But NFL analyst Dave Dameshek argued on the most recent episode of his “Football America” podcast that the Steelers won’t find “the guy” by getting gun-shy. Dameshek emphasized the team has to keep taking chances and adding new quarterbacks to find the right one.
Dameshek then argued in favor of Pittsburgh’s next quarterback acquisition being J.J. McCarthy.
“That would be fine with me. I know people wouldn’t like it in Pittsburgh, but I’d be cool with it because you’ve gotta keep taking swings until you find the answer,” Dameshek said, via Steelers Depot’s Troy Montgomery. “You know you’re not going to the Super Bowl [with Rodgers]. He just won 10 games.
“They’re not going to the Super Bowl with a 43-year-old man.”
Aaron Rodgers will be 43 years old in time for the next Super Bowl.
McCarthy will just be turning 24 years old by then. He could be available in a trade from the Minnesota Vikings this offseason because the team just signed Kyler Murray in NFL free agency.
Last season, McCarthy posted a 6-4 record during his first NFL season as a starter. But he completed just 57.6% of his passes with 11 touchdowns and 13 interceptions.
Just two years ago, though, McCarthy was the No. 10 pick in the 2024 NFL Draft.
“Enigmatic quarterback lacking the measurables and splash throws associated with early round quarterbacks but possessing elements that require more study and consideration,” wrote NFL.com’s Lance Zierlein in 2024. “McCarthy should continue to improve as a passer, but he fails to stand out in many of the areas that tend to be predictive of top-level success in the NFL.
Why J.J. McCarthy Could Be a Trade Candidate for the Steelers
It’s important to note that the Vikings are not actively shopping McCarthy. Most pundits see Murray as the clear-cut starter for Minnesota next season. However, some have left open the possibility of McCarthy competing for the job.
It might be smart for the Vikings to see if both signal-callers come out of training camp and the preseason healthy. McCarthy didn’t accomplish that two years ago as a rookie.
But should that happen, perhaps the team is more motivated to move McCarthy.
If that occurs, the Steelers could be interested. While the former Michigan signal-caller has struggled, he’s still got talent and is very young. The Steelers could acquire him in the hope that their new quarterback guru head coach, Mike McCarthy, can develop J.J. better than Kevin O’Connell has through two years.
It’s not clear how much McCarthy could cost on the trade market if made available.
But he’s young and possesses a relatively inexperience contract. If multiple teams pursue a McCarthy trade, he could cost as much as a third or fourth-round pick.
Will Aaron Rodgers Return?
The million dollar question with the Steelers, as it was last year, is whether Rodgers will be back in 2026.
If he is, would the Steelers also consider adding McCarthy.
Signing and trading for two more quarterbacks this offseason would give Pittsburgh four signal-callers. The Steelers already have Mason Rudolph and Will Howard behind center.
That’s one too many for the regular season. It would lead to the Steelers releasing/trading their most experienced backup (Rudolph) or parting ways with a quarterbacks they reportedly really like (Howard).
A quarterback room with McCarthy, Rudolph and Howard probably won’t inspire many. But that potentially makes more sense than the Steelers trading for McCarthy after already signing Rodgers.
It’s not clear when Rodgers will make his 2026 decision. NFL insider Jason La Canfora reported Tuesday that Rodgers should make his choice “in the next few weeks.”