Other NFL Teams “100% Coming For” Vikings QB via Trade
Minnesota Vikings rookie quarterback J.J. McCarthy did not play a single down of regular season football as a rookie.
Other NFL Teams “100% Coming For” Vikings QB via Trade
The 21-year-old tore his meniscus in the team’s first preseason game after a fantastic maiden voyage showing, ending his 2024 campaign and handing the QB1 job to Sam Darnold by default.
Darnold has accounted for 36 touchdowns in 16 games as a result.
In fact, Darnold has played so well that some of the Vikings fan base has decided he is the quarterback of the future — not McCarthy. The theory suggests that McCarthy can watch and learn indefinitely, or perhaps Minnesota could trade the young signal-caller.
And per ESPN’s Adam Schefter, other NFL teams will 100% inquire about McCarthy via trade. The draft community has settled on the idea that McCarthy might be the first overall pick if he entered the 2025 NFL draft instead of the 2024 event.
Schefter said on Unsportsmanlike this week, “In a limited quarterback draft class, where there are far more teams that need quarterbacks than there are quarterbacks who can actually step in right away, I definitely think teams will be checking in with the Vikings to see if they have an interest in trading JJ McCarthy. Now, they may say ‘we don’t’, and that’s the end of it. But do I think teams will explore that option? Of course. Absolutely. 100%.”
Minnesota has a “good problem” right now — in good hands, no matter what, at quarterback. It can retain Darnold on a fat contract henceforth and keep McCarthy for a rainy day. It can let Darnold depart the organization and start McCarthy in 2025. Or it can start Darnold next year and trade McCarthy for a sweet draft pick.
During Vikings seasons of the past, the fan base begged for one good quarterback. Minnesota suddenly has two.
Others, like former Vikings quarterback Tommy Kramer, have endorsed keeping McCarthy and letting Darnold walk.
“I’ve been asked my thoughts on the QB situation. Darnold is doing an amazing job, I’m very happy for him. The NFL can be a short career, I hope he gets a lot of $ in his next contract. I would like to see the Vikings save the $, roll with JJ and do what they did this year in free agency and build a strong line on both sides of the ball. McCarthy is a winner and a leader, match that with Coach O’Connell and the receiver core we have, the Vikings have a bright future. Merry Christmas everyone, enjoy the time with your family and friends,” Kramer tweeted last week.
The kicker on the Darnold v. McCarthy debate(s) might be money. Darnold can reasonably expect to earn a contract north of $40+ million per season this offseason. McCarthy is affordable for the next four seasons.
Ultimately, though, if the Vikings want Darnold for 2025 and beyond, they apparently have a tradeable asset in McCarthy, and Schefter claims teams will line up to inquire about a trade.
The Vikings travel to Detroit this Sunday night with Darnold at quarterback, taking on the Lions for the NFC North crown, the NFC’s No. 1 seed, and homefield advantage throughout the playoffs. It’s arguably the most important regular season game in franchise history.
Dustin Baker is a political scientist who graduated from the University of Minnesota in 2007. Subscribe to his daily YouTube Channel, VikesNow. The show features guests, analysis, and opinion on all things related to the purple team, with 4-7 episodes per week. His Vikings obsession dates back to 1996. Listed guilty pleasures: Peanut Butter Ice Cream, ‘The Sopranos,’ Basset Hounds, and The Doors (the band). He follows the NBA as closely as the NFL.
All statistics provided by Pro Football Reference / Stathead; all contractual information provided by OverTheCap.com.
You must be logged in to post a comment.