J.J. McCarthy Trade Speculation is Running Rampant

After J.J. McCarthy fell to Kyler Murray in the Minnesota Vikings’ competition for QB1, we all probably should’ve expected the trade speculation to pick up big time. For as much sense as it makes to keep J.J. McCarthy on the roster, there is some logic behind the idea of trading him away.

For any possible avenue of a Vikings trade of J.J. McCarthy, the team has to be completely sure that they don’t think J.J. McCarthy will ever develop into the eventual franchise QB. If that trade is to happen this season after all, then they also have to be very confident that Kyler Murray and Carson Wentz could both stay healthy all season, let alone play well. As we’ve seen in the Kevin O’Connell era, good QB health is far from guaranteed in this league. In 2 of KOC’s 4 years on the job, he’s had to start three or more signal-callers.

If we’re being real, history tells us that we won’t have Kyler Murray for all 17 games this season. Obviously, I would heavily prefer that we do, as the sky is the limit for him in this offense. The Vikings likely know he comes with his own injury concerns, and that their QB2, whether that’s Carson Wentz or J.J. McCarthy, is likely to get some run this season. If J.J. McCarthy is to be traded, then it’s obvious they don’t even trust him to be a spot-starter, let alone the face of the franchise.

There have been quite a few trade ideas for J.J. McCarthy since Kyler Murray was named the starter, so let’s go over a few, shall we?

J.J. McCarthy to the Steelers in Trade Hypothetical

The first hypothetical is brought to us by Enzo Flojo of Clutchpoints. This one has the Vikings trading J.J. McCarthy to the Pittsburgh Steelers for a 2027 third-rounder and a 2027 conditional fourth-rounder.

Honestly, and maybe I’m playing devil’s advocate here, I’d probably accept that trade. My opinion is that it’s hard to see a haul of anything more than a day 3 selection right now, so potentially netting two day 2 selections would be pretty difficult to pass up if I were in the driver’s seat. Maybe it’s for the best of the team that I’m not. Flojo noted that this proposal “gives Minnesota something tangible,” and “does not force the Steelers to surrender premium draft capital.” Sure, it’s not “premium” capital, but relative to McCarthy’s play last season, it’s definitely not a bargain for the Steelers.

“McCarthy could fit Pittsburgh better than most alternatives,” said Flojo. “If Pittsburgh is serious about developing its next quarterback, there may be no better crash course than spending a season alongside one of the most accomplished quarterbacks in NFL history.”

Sure, it sounds great. However, the Steelers already have two developmental signal-callers behind Aaron Rodgers in Will Howard and Drew Allar. This one is not likely to happen at all.

McCarthy Could Go Learn Under Kyle Shanahan in San Francisco

This one actually makes a bit of sense. If there is truly a “QB whisperer” in the NFL, it’s not Kevin O’Connell; it’s more likely to be Kyle Shanahan.

This idea comes from Kristopher Knox of Bleacher Report, and I think it checks out. Knox mentions that Mac Jones is likely to get a starting job next season for some QB-needy team, leaving the gig as Brock Purdy’s backup unfilled.

He mentioned a write-up on McCarthy from 2024 on McCarthy by Derrik Klassen, in which Klassen stated that “McCarthy fits best in a Shanahan-style system that simplifies things pre-snap and leans into throws over the middle of the field with the help of play action. He has the requisite arm talent and pocket toughness to function in that system.”

It’s hard to disagree, and a Shanahan-McCarthy union could jump-start the latter’s career. Other teams mentioned by Knox as potential landing spots for J.J. McCarthy include the Arizona Cardinals, Atlanta Falcons, Los Angeles Chargers, and Pittsburgh Steelers as well.