Credit: Matt Krohn-Imagn Images
The Minnesota Vikings signed Kyler Murray this week, ushering in yet another new quarterback era in downtown Minneapolis. What does that mean for 2024 No. 10 overall pick JJ McCarthy?
Well, if you ask higher ups in the Vikings organization, it means a 2026 training camp competition between Murray and McCarthy. But if you ask team or league insiders with any sense of objectivity on the situation, Minnesota’s 2026 starter was named the moment Kyler Murray signed on the dotted line.
Thus, barring injury or something going horribly wrong this summer, JJ McCarthy will be watching his team’s games next season from the sideline, listening to play calls through his headset, instead of his helmet.
Don’t be surprised if Minnesota Vikings trade JJ McCarthy
Or will he? There has been some speculation in recent days surrounding the possibility that Minnesota decides to wash their hands of McCarthy — and trade him before the start of summer workouts.
And that brings us to LONGTIME local insider Charley Walters and his latest Sunday column at the Pioneer Press, the first he’s put out since February 15.
Credit: Raymond Carlin III-Imagn Images
Not only does Shooter begin his article writing that he wouldn’t be surprised if the Vikings “entertain” trading 2024 No. 10 overall draft pick, but he even brought a few possible landing spots.
According to Charley, the Pittsburgh Steelers and Cleveland Browns might have interest in him as a starter. He also names the LA Chargers, where his former head coach at Michigan, Jim Harbaugh, needs a backup QB behind Justin Herbert.
Now that Kyler Murray seems set to be the Vikings’ starting quarterback next season, it wouldn’t be surprising if the team entertains a trade for J.J. McCarthy.
The Pittsburgh Steelers and Cleveland Browns seem like teams that might have an interest in McCarthy, potentially as a starter. The Los Angeles Chargers, coached by Jim Harbaugh, who coached McCarthy to a national championship at Michigan in 2004, would seem a third possibility as a backup to Justin Herbert.
The Chargers do not have a designated backup QB. Last season, it was Trey Lance from Marshall, Minn. A trade for McCarthy would require a high enough draft pick.
Charley Walters – Pioneer Press
Related: Vikings Won’t Tag Kyler Murray Next Offseason
In a recent piece at The Athletic, Vikings beat writer Alec Lewis touched on the possibility of JJ McCarthy being traded, and he too wouldn’t rule it out. The most likely path to that happening would be McCarthy approaching the Vikings, asking for a trade out.
Vikings should be in no hurry to trade McCarthy
But while the Minnesota Vikings may be disappointed in McCarthy’s development, since his 2024 meniscus surgery, they aren’t going to sell their 23-year-old National Champion on the clearance rack just yet.
No matter how shaken Kevin O’Connell’s confidence might be in JJ McCarthy right now, it would be foolish to trade the kid QB away for any small haul of late round draft picks. His ceiling is too high and we’ve seen too many young NFL quarterbacks flameout, just to rehab and blossom elsewhere.
Unless the Browns, Chargers or Steelers come to Rob Brzezinski with an unexpectedly competitive offer, the MN Vikings’ best path forward is keeping McCarthy on roster with the hope that he undergoes some sort of developmental revelation while sitting behind Murray.
Vikings going from a QB that couldn’t throw with touch to one of the best touch throwers in the game https://t.co/qQtrTvSBTg pic.twitter.com/YJWvmJzQlE
— Ted Nguyen (@FB_FilmAnalysis) March 13, 2026
Remember, Kyler’s contract is only one year. If he goes off and plays like an MVP candidate in 2026, the MN Vikings’ QB of the future will become more obvious and they can address the McCarthy elephant in the room, at that point.
Walters does mention, however, that should the Vikings bring back Carson Wentz — which is very possible — it would make a McCarthy trade more likely.
Don’t be surprised, if the Vikings were to trade McCarthy, if they bring Carson Wentz back to play behind Murray.
Charley Walters – Pioneer Press
Related: Vikings’ High Price Disappointment Lands with New Team
Until then, there are a bevy of plausible scenarios that would give McCarthy another opportunity to start under center in Minnesota, both in 2026 and beyond. If they let JJ incubate between now and then, it’s possible he emerges as a completely different quarterback, before his rookie contract expires.
Even if that seems unlikely, the small chance it happens is worth more than a couple throwaway draft picks, especially when you’ll be able to get throw-away draft picks down the road too.
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