JJ McCarthy - Minnesota Vikings
Credit: Photo courtesy of the Minnesota Vikings
One week ago, even if he knew it was only temporary, JJ McCarthy stood alone atop the Minnesota Vikings quarterback depth chart.
Now, after the additions of Kyler Murray and Carson Wentz to the room over the last couple weeks, there are questions surrounding whether or the 2024 No. 10 overall draft pick is even the Vikings’ QB2, as we inch closer to the 2026 NFL Draft.
While the Vikings remain publicly adamant about their belief in their 23-year-old kid QB, their actions this offseason suggest differently. A team that likes its kid QB, doesn’t sign a 28-year-old, 2x Pro Bowler, let alone another veteran like Wentz right after.
McCarthy’s camp want Minnesota Vikings to trade kid QB?
But what if, instead of Minnesota’s leadership bailing on McCarthy, he decides to bail on them? We’ve already seen a few reporters ask that same question. But this weekend, we have the sign of possible discontent rising from JJ’s camp.
While local insider Darren Wolfson (KSTP) hasn’t heard any specific trade buzz surrounding McCarthy quite yet, he did note Saturday on SKOR North’s Purple Daily, that we “can’t dismiss” those around McCarthy hoping for, or at least being open to, a change in scenery…
“Has the JJ McCarthy Vikings era come to an end? As of this weekend, I haven’t heard specific trade buzz. Do I sense that those close to JJ would welcome a change of scenery? I wouldn’t dismiss that.”
Darren Wolfson – Purple Daily (SKOR North)
I left it in the clip so you don’t think I am trying to skip additional context. But unfortunately, Wolfson did not divulge further into “those close to McCarthy” possibly being open to a trade out of Minnesota, and his SKOR North hosts did not press for more information either.
JJ McCarthy trade rumors continue to rise…
Remember, Vikings insider Alec Lewis (The Athletic) left the door open to a possible JJ McCarthy trade last week, in large part because he couldn’t rule out the third year quarterback requesting one. Just today, former NFL QB turned media member Chase Daniel targeted the Chargers as the most likely destination.
Vikings aren’t giving Carson Wentz $3M to be a QB3…
This will be really interesting to watch unfold through the draft.
If JJ’s available, there’s one obvious fit ⚡️⚡️⚡️ https://t.co/iXHqqSNwCS
— Chase Daniel (@ChaseDaniel) March 21, 2026
Related: Pelissero Tries to Explain MN Vikings QB Competition Again
Why — even before Wolfson’s scoop dropped today — have so many reporters had their antennas up for a possible McCarthy trade request? Because, they’ve already been through this.
According to other reports recently, the MN Vikings were worried last offseason that JJ McCarthy would demand a trade, if they would have retained either of Sam Darnold or Daniel Jones; or had they signed Aaron Rodgers.
Now throw in Darren’s brief mention Saturday that McCarthy’s camp might be hoping for a trade… it’s really starting to feel like these could be early puffs of smoke that will soon spiral into a fully-blown trade fire — eventually resulting in a blockbuster trade.
Mentioned in this article: J.J. McCarthy NFL Trade Rumors
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