J.J. McCarthy
J.J. McCarthy
J.J. McCarthy has not panned out for the Minnesota Vikings and, while it’s still early in his career, there’s a chance he’s already played his last snap with the team. Selected in the first round of the 2024 NFL Draft, the Michigan product entered his rookie offseason as Minnesota’s presumed starter. However, the quarterback suffered a season-ending injury in the offseason, forcing Sam Darnold to start in his place. Darnold performed admirably in his absence, going 14-3 before leading the Seattle Seahawks to the Super Bowl one year later.
With Darnold gone, J.J. McCarthy inherited the starting role in 2025, but didn’t play up to his potential. Starting and appearing in 10 games, McCarthy finished the season with a 6-4 record while completing just 57.6% of his passes for 1,632 yards, 11 touchdowns, and 12 interceptions. The Vikings signed veteran Kyler Murray following this lackluster season, and all reports seem to indicate the former Cardinal will win the starting job. With McCarthy likely relegated to life as a backup, Bleacher Report’s Kristopher Knox believes Minnesota could trade the young passer.
“The Vikings were quick to name free-agent addition Kyler Murray as their starter, and they have a veteran backup in Carson Wentz,” Knox writes. “While continuing to develop McCarthy is an option, Minnesota may want to rip off the proverbial band-aid and move on from him…The Los Angeles Chargers are one team that might be willing to take a chance on McCarthy. L.A. has its starting quarterback in Justin Herbert, but it has a less-experienced backup in Trey Lance, who is also on a one-year deal.”
J.J. McCarthy
| Source: Lastwordonsports.com - David Latham, Managing Editor
Colts, Chargers Connected In J.J. McCarthy Trade Rumors
The Chargers might go after J.J. McCarthy if the price is right, but they probably won’t. While the team could certainly use a better backup quarterback than Trey Lance, J.J. McCarthy might not be the answer to the team’s problems. Lance and McCarthy are similar in that both players are high first-round picks who failed to find NFL success.
While J.J. McCarthy is more of an unknown commodity and has time to turn it around, he may not be the best solution for the Chargers. Justin Herbert is one of the best quarterbacks in the league, and no backup will challenge for his role. If Los Angeles is looking for an upgrade at the QB2 position, they should pursue a more proven option like Jimmy Garoppolo or Cooper Rush.