What the Vikings Could Get for J.J. McCarthy in a Trade
The Minnesota Vikings signed Kyler Murray a few days ago after weeks of all signs pointing in that direction. Thereafter, some, including Pioneer Press‘s Charley Walters, have whispered that last year’s QB1, J.J. McCarthy, could be traded. If that’s true, where will McCarthy go? What will Minnesota get for him? Let’s dig in.
Several trade paths would offer Minnesota very different kinds of value.
It should be noted that Minnesota probably won’t trade McCarthy, but if he, for example, requested a ticket out of town, all bets would be off.
QB-Needy Teams Could View McCarthy’s Price through Different Lenses
Trade packages for McCarthy if he asks for a change of scenery.
1. McCarthy to PIT for a 4th-Rounder
Aaron Rodgers has not notified the Steelers if he’ll return for his 20th NFL season, and according to Rodgers, Pittsburgh has not submitted a contract offer. No matter what, Pittsburgh will need a quarterback solution not named Rodgers before too long, and if that franchise is not enamored behind the scenes with last year’s 6th-Rounder Will Howard, sending a 4th-Rounder to Minnesota for McCarthy would check some boxes.
McCarthy could watch and learn behind Rodgers for a year. Or — if Rodgers retires, the Steelers could sign Kirk Cousins and ask McCarthy and Howard to observe for a couple of months before making the pivot.
The Steelers and Cardinals might be the only NFL clubs right now with absolutely no promising long-term quarterback solutions on their rosters (assuming the Las Vegas Raiders pick Fernando Mendoza in five weeks). McCarthy to Mike McCarthy’s Steelers would change that.
2. McCarthy to ARI for WR Michael Wilson
The Cardinals drafted Wilson in 2023, meaning now is the time for contract extension chatter. Otherwise, the productive wideout will hit the open market in free agency one year from now.
Wilson is 26 and posted 1006 receiving yards last year, with 78 catches and 7 touchdowns. He is familiar with Murray, and his trade value could be akin to McCarthy’s right now — a 4th-Rounder or so. Meanwhile, nobody is too sure whether Minnesota will hold on to Jordan Addison for the long haul; his off-the-field shenanigans are relentless, and there’s a world where the Vikings decide not to renew Addison’s contract. It’s why you hear fringe Addison trade theories.
The Vikings could send McCarthy to the desert for a fresh start, as the Cardinals appear content heading into 2026 with Jacoby Brissett and Gardner Minshew at quarterback, which is about as underwhelming as it gets.
Wilson would audition for Minnesota’s WR2 job if Addison leaves, and in the meantime, serve as a fantastic and recognizable WR3 target for Murray.
3. McCarthy to IND for QB Anthony Richardson
Here, the Vikings and the Indianapolis Colts basically swap the same player. The Spider-Man meme.
Through three seasons, Richardson is known for injury woes, inconsistent performance, utter flashes of brilliance, and perhaps some untapped upside.
Through two seasons, McCarthy is known for injury woes, inconsistent performance, utter flashes of brilliance, and perhaps some untapped upside.
Minnesota was reportedly interested in Richardson during the 2023 draft process, but the cost to trade up was just too damn expensive. If one assumes that McCarthy asks for a trade, interim general manager Rob Brzezinski could ship to Indianapolis, and Minnesota would still have a developmental, high-upside young quarterback in the pipeline.
Zone Coverage‘s Tom Schreier on the idea of Richardson to Minnesota: “Suppose Murray doesn’t look like a long-term starter in Minnesota, and J.J. McCarthy doesn’t progress enough to become a franchise quarterback.”
“Then, the Vikings would like another in-house option to step in as a long-term starter. Minnesota could trade for Richardson and roll out Murray as the starter, then have Richardson and McCarthy compete to be his backup.”
Like McCarthy, Richardson is still just 23 years old.
Schreier added, “However, that would fill the quarterback room with three volatile young quarterbacks. They likely want Carson Wentz or another steady veteran backup who can run the offense. They must avoid forcing a young quarterback into action too early, as they did with Max Brosmer last year.”
4. McCarthy and 6th-Rounder to LAR for a 2027 3rd-Rounder
The Los Angeles Rams won’t have Matthew Stafford under center forever; he may retire after the 2026 campaign. Currently, Los Angeles has no heir apparent plan, and let’s face it: McCarthy just feels like a quarterback who will eventually land with a Sean McVay or a Kyle Shanahan-like head coach and blast off.
Vikings fans are cynical enough to believe that when McCarthy leaves Minnesota, he’ll suddenly become totally durable and some team will extract the best out of him. See: Sam Darnold in Seattle in 2025.
Plotting for the Stafford afterlife, the Vikings could grab a 3rd-Rounder next year from Les Snead while sending McCarthy to McVay, where he’ll watch and learn until Stafford hangs it up. After all, McCarthy is supposed to ideally fit in a McVay-style offense. Why not work with McVay personally if McCarthy wants out of Minnesota?
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