The Los Angeles Rams need to figure out what to do at the quarterback position when Matthew Stafford retires. He is coming back for another season, but the truth is that his contract expires after the 2026 NFL season. There is a chance that Los Angeles may not draft a quarterback in the 2026 NFL Draft. It will be interesting to see what they decide to do.
Nov 2, 2025; Inglewood, California, USA; Los Angeles Rams head coach Sean McVay and wide receiver Puka Nacua (12) react after a touchdown against the New Orleans Saints during the first half at SoFi Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Jayne Kamin-Oncea-Imagn Images
Nov 2, 2025; Inglewood, California, USA; Los Angeles Rams head coach Sean McVay and wide receiver Puka Nacua (12) react after a touchdown against the New Orleans Saints during the first half at SoFi Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Jayne Kamin-Oncea-Imagn Images
The Rams are going to have the 13th overall pick in the 2026 NFL Draft from the Atlanta Falcons. Los Angeles also traded away its 30th overall pick to the Kansas City Chiefs for cornerback Trent McDuffie. They are going all-in this season. They are not thinking about the future, but will the Rams make a trade that will benefit them for the future moving forward?
NFL Analyst Thinks That the Los Angeles Rams Could Trade For Minnesota Vikings QB J.J. McCarthy
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Jan 4, 2026; Minneapolis, Minnesota, USA; Minnesota Vikings quarterback J.J. McCarthy (9) walks off the field after the game against the Green Bay Packers at U.S. Bank Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Jeffrey Becker-Imagn Images
There have been crazy NFL draft day trades before. With the Rams having the 13th overall selection, they no doubt have options. Bill Barnwell of ESPN thinks it is possible that they trade up in the draft. It is also possible that they trade back as well. He thinks it’s a possibility that they would trade back from the 13th pick to the 18th pick with the Minnesota Vikings.
This would also include the Rams acquiring quarterback J.J. McCarthy in the process. Minnesota has Kyler Murray and Carson Wentz on the roster. Barnwell also thinks Los Angeles would get an additional third round pick from Minnesota. He said,
“At the right price, though, taking a flier on McCarthy would make sense. The Vikings are unlikely to move forward with the 2024 ninth overall pick as their quarterback of the future, havingsignedKyler Murrayto take over as their starter in 2026 before deciding on McCarthy’s fifth-year option after the season. Getting something for the 23-year-old quarterback would make sense if the organization has decided it is going to be heading in a different direction. This move up would get the Vikes ahead of the Bucs and Jets if they want to look toward secondary help in Round 1.
This trade would value McCarthy as being worth the 112th pick in a typical draft by the Johnson chart, a selection in the middle of the fourth round. That feels about right to me. And the Rams would be on the hook for $6.6 million over the next two years, which isn’t much for a developmental backup quarterback. Could McCarthy’s solid final four games of the 2025 season (admittedly against dismal opposing defenses) portend growth and some future success? The Rams wouldn’t be paying much to find out.”
McCarthy is 23 years old. He would get to be a backup quarterback for another season which would not be a bad thing for him. McCarthy struggled with the Vikings last season. He completed 57.6% of his passes for 1,632 yards, 11 touchdowns, and 12 interceptions. McCarthy also rushed for 181 yards on 37 carries and four touchdowns, along with averaging 4.9 yards per carry.
Minnesota already giving up on McCarthy potentially would be a bold move, but the Vikings can’t wait on his development. That is why they signed Murray. The Rams can wait on his development because Stafford is going to be the starting quarterback anyways.
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