J.J. McCarthy of the Minnesota Vikings.
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Minnesota Vikings news: The team is being projected to replace J.J. McCarthy with a four-time Pro Bowl quarterback.
The Minnesota Vikings are in quite the predicament when it comes to their QB situation.
Kevin O’Connell and company want you to believe that they will be hosting an open quarterback competition heading into the season. Kyler Murray, J.J. McCarthy, Carson Wentz, and Max Brosmer all currently have contracts of employment in Minnesota.
The competition narrative mostly revolves around Murray and McCarthy, while some view Wentz as a true contender for the job. Brosmer seems to be the obvious odd man out.
There has been some speculation looming over the status of McCarthy in Minnesota. Trade rumors have begun to emerge, suggesting he may just want a fresh start elsewhere after the signing of Kyler Murray.
Well, someone has taken a fan and dissipated some of that smoke regarding a potential trade.
Vikings Get McCarthy Update Amid Trade Speculation
J.J. McCarthy quarterback Minnesota Vikings
GettyMINNEAPOLIS, MINNESOTA – JANUARY 04: J.J. McCarthy #9 of the Minnesota Vikings looks on during the third quarter against the Green Bay Packers at U.S. Bank Stadium on January 04, 2026 in Minneapolis, Minnesota. (Photo by David Berding/Getty Images)
McCarthy has returned to the Twin Cities after spending weeks in California training with QB coach John Beck.
Upon his return, KFAN‘s Paul Allen inquired with the Minnesota Star Tribune‘s Ben Goessling regarding the trade rumors surrounding McCarthy.
“I have not heard steam to corroborate that. I’ve heard people talk about the possibility, that, you know, would he consider that. Without being directly in his head, it’s hard to say that.
I know that he’s back in Minnesota. I think he’s getting ready for the offseason and kind of preparing for the start of offseason workouts. It seems like he has every intention to be here“.
McCarthy will look to be taking part in a QB competition mostly between he and Kyler Murray for the 2026 Vikings starting job. While Murray seems like the favorite, Sports Illustrated‘s Joe Nelson reported that plenty insiders are “adamant that Murray hasn’t been promised a starting job”, and there will be a competition.
Minnesota Trading Away McCarthy if He Loses QB Competition is More Likely
J.J. McCarthy quarterback Minnesota Vikings
GettyMINNEAPOLIS, MINNESOTA – JANUARY 04: J.J. McCarthy #9 of the Minnesota Vikings reacts during the first quarter against the Green Bay Packers at U.S. Bank Stadium on January 04, 2026 in Minneapolis, Minnesota. (Photo by Stephen Maturen/Getty Images)
Goessling touched on the idea of the Vikings trading away McCarthy should he lose said competition.
“It’s hard to say that there would be a scenario where they wouldn’t do it. If somebody came along and gave them a big offer, maybe you consider those things.
I don’t think anybody in that building has given up on him, and I don’t think that he is blindsided by the idea that they were going to bring somebody in. They have been in contact with him about that the whole way through, and I think he ended the season kind of aware of that being a reality, based on the way 2025 went for him.”
There is still a world where McCarthy could be the long-term starter for the purple. There is also a world in which he does the “unthinkable” and straight up beats Murray in the competition.
Either way, McCarthy’s future with the Vikings remains very up in the air, and will be a storyline to monitor for NFL fans over the next 12 months.