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Credit: IMAGN IMAGES via Reuters Connect
Should the Cleveland Browns and Minnesota Vikings consider a trade of failed quarterback prospects by swapping Shedeur Sanders for JJ McCarthy? There are several reasons why it would be worth a try for both franchises.
On Monday, new Browns head coach Todd Monken revealed what we all knew was coming. Despite some head-scratching comments from Deshaun Watson after this weekend’s preseason game, the three-time Pro Bowler was officially named Cleveland’s QB1 to begin the season, over the second-year signal caller.
It means the former Colorado star couldn’t beat out a disgraced QB who continues to be a shell of himself after double Achilles surgery and is hated by his own fanbase. Sanders and Cleveland’s hope for him to be a long-term answer at the position looks to be over. Especially with the Browns having not one but two first-round picks in a QB-deep draft next April. Yet, the Browns aren’t the only team with a young QB that hasn’t risen to the occasion to win a starting job.
The Vikings regrettably let Sam Darnold walk in free agency last year after a breakout season because they had so much hope in 2024 first-round pick JJ McCarthy. However, despite being under the tutelage of QB guru and head coach Kevin O’Connell, the player who led Michigan to a National Championship lost the Minnesota QB battle a month ago. And like Sanders, he lost the fight to a multi-time Pro Bowler who also isn’t the same player he used to be.
The long-term outlooks for Sanders and McCarthy in Cleveland and Minnesota aren’t good. Both teams have other options at backup quarterback in 2026, making the pair expendable. So why not look into swapping one failed young QB for another to see if a change of scenery offers either team more upside at the sport’s most important position.
Why the Cleveland Browns should consider a JJ McCarthy trade
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Aug 22, 2026; Minneapolis, Minnesota, USA; Minnesota Vikings quarterback J.J. McCarthy (9) looks to throw a pass against the Baltimore Ravens during the first quarter at U.S. Bank Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Jeffrey Becker-Imagn Images
Monken finally earned his first shot as an NFL head coach this year because of his work with superstar QB Lamar Jackson as the offensive coordinator for the Baltimore Ravens. Their three seasons together showed that the coach’s system is at its best when led by a QB with wheels. That was reportedly part of why Watson won the job over Sanders.
Despite being the son of one of the fastest players in NFL history, Deion Sanders, the Colorado alum has never been a mobile QB, and he didn’t do enough during the preseason to show that his pocket passing skills were special. However, the former Michigan star offers mobility and can extend plays with his legs.
McCarthy certainly needs work on his throwing mechanics. Now, Monken may not be a better coach than O’Connell, but he may be able to communicate the things to improve better than the Vikings coach was able to over the last three years. With McCarthy only being 23 years old, there is still hope he can turn things around. Look at how long it took Darnold to find himself in the NFL.
But more than anything, Monken and the Browns have an ugly situation on their hands with Watson and the fanbase. If the QB can’t recapture his previous form, games in Cleveland are going to be nasty all year. The organization needs something waiting in the wings to avoid a mutiny of the fanbase.
If McCarthy created good buzz for himself in practices after a trade, that would give the Browns something to pacify fans later in the season before they look ahead to a QB prospect in the draft.
Why the Minnesota Vikings should consider a Shedeur Sanders trade
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Aug 22, 2026; Cleveland, Ohio, USA; Cleveland Browns quarterback Shedeur Sanders (2) throws a pass to tight end Carsen Ryan (48) during the first half against the Buffalo Bills at Huntington Bank Field. Mandatory Credit: Ken Blaze-Imagn Images
The Vikings are in an interesting position heading into the 2026 season. Kyler Murray could end up turning back the clock to the Pro-Bowl-level player he was a few years ago, and Minnesota emerges as a top team in the NFC. However, things can just as easily go in the opposite direction, and they are fighting for a playoff spot in December.
Since the Vikings have one of the best defenses in the NFL, they should be in playoff contention no matter how Murray plays. But that also means Minnesota could end up at a place in next year’s draft where they are just out of range of getting one of the top QB prospects available. So they have to hope the former Arizona Cardinals star rediscovers the player he once was because the 2027 NFL Draft isn’t an obvious fix for them.
However, a trade for Sanders would offer reason for optimism behind Murray that McCarthy and Carson Wentz don’t. In an era of mobile QBs everywhere, O’Connell built his reputation as a QB guru for doing great things with old-school pocket passers. Jared Goff, Matthew Stafford, Kirk Cousins, and Darnold are not known for their running and had good seasons with O’Connell.
While Sanders didn’t do well with two different coaching staffs in Cleveland, it isn’t impossible that O’Connell could actually turn him into a reliable starter at the next level. Especially since the QB would have some far better targets, like Justin Jefferson, in Minnesota.
With McCarthy being very much expendable, swapping him for a player who might be a better fit for their system and is only making around $3.5 million over the next three years combined is something the Vikings should consider.