After signing Kyler Murray, the Minnesota Vikings are widely expected to force 2024 first-round pick JJ McCarthy into a backup role. Of course, the current plan is to work Murray into competing with the 23-year-old quarterback for a starting role, but plans could change quickly.
The Vikings also have Carson Wentz and 2025 undrafted signee Max Brosmer in the QB room, giving Minnesota a total of four options on the depth chart. That's enough to start the season; Chances are they will eliminate Broesmer and try to add him to their practice squad. But then, things can change.
Recently, Yahoo's NFL insider Charles Robinson advised the Vikings to trade McCarthy during or shortly after the 2026 NFL Draft, believing this is the time when the third-year QB's value will be at its peak.
Maybe I'm the only one who believes this, but I don't think the Vikings are really trying to have a quarterback competition between JJ McCarthy and Kyler Murray. I don't think McCarthy's trade value is going to go anywhere but down from here. If the Vikings are ultimately going to deal him, this is the window — either during this draft or after — with a team looking for a young developmental backup. This is soon going to be an Anthony Richardson/Jack Wilson scenario, where there will be no value from the former high draft pick. And something to keep in mind about whether McCarthy is even tradeable: Malik Willis' early career looked like it was over after his first two years with the Tennessee Titans, but he landed in the right spot in Green Bay and turned that around. That's the kind of fresh start McCarthy needs. Teams will trade for a quarterback if they can see someone at a reasonable price if they haven't fallen into a completely bad situation yet.
Yahoo's Charles Robinson on JJ McCarthy
If the Vikings do find a trade partner for McCarthy, we would imagine they would bring in another developmental prospect to fill the void. Unless they're really high on Brosmer's pro prospects. Or perhaps there is a deal to work out with Indianapolis, swapping Richardson for McCarthy and perhaps exchanging some draft compensation that would give both young QBs a fresh start.
For now, the Vikings have publicly offered McCarthy nothing but support. Still, they have moved aggressively to fill out their depth chart, bringing in legitimate competition to push them further down the pecking order. At some point, he may ask, which may also grease the wheels for the business.
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