Many expect Kyler Murray to win the Minnesota Vikings‘ starting QB job over J.J. McCarthy and Carson Wentz. Moreover, if that were to happen, the question would be what happens to McCarthy?
With the 2026 NFL Draft approaching and this year’s QB class not being the best after Fernando Mendoza and possibly Ty Simpson, could a team needing a QB come calling the Vikings to ask about McCarthy?
Chip Scoggins from The Minnesota Star Tribune stated whether he believes a McCarthy trade could happen before or at the draft.
“There are still people who think [a McCarthy trade] is a possibility,” Scoggins said on the April 18 edition of “Purple Daily.” “I just don’t see it. That would shock me. I still hear it because of the Carson Wentz signing, that it means J.J. McCarthy is going to get moved.
“Maybe I am misinterpreting it and will be proven wrong, but I do not read it that way. The way I read it initially, and still believe, is that [Kevin O’Connell] said they got down to Max Brosmer last year, and he was not ready to play, and they are not going to let that happen again…
“Because if you were to trade J.J., that would require Kevin O’Connell admitting that they missed on the evaluation before the draft and were not able to develop him.”
Vikings QB J.J. McCarthy Gets Encouraging Words
Minnesota wants to avoid missing the playoffs in the upcoming 2026 NFL season, as its QB play was the main issue last campaign. Ahead of the battle to determine the signal-caller for Week 1, McCarthy received an encouraging message from former Vikings wideout Adam Thielen.
“I just love his mindset,“ Thielen said on the April 14 edition of the “Ross Tucker Football Podcast.” “You’re around him for a couple of days and you can feel it. I was able to work with him as a rookie during the offseason when he spent time in Minnesota, and we got the chance to throw and work together a bit.
“Then playing with him, you realize he’s just one of those guys. When you’re around him, you can tell he’s a winner. He understands that competitive edge, that chip on his shoulder, and he carries it with him.”
J.J. McCarthy Understands What He Must Improve to Be a Starter
Moreover, Thielen notes that McCarthy knows what he needs to work on to improve and become an NFL starting QB, as he must address his weaknesses if he wants to be the guy who comes out on top in this competition to determine the Week 1 starter.
“He’ll be the first to admit there are areas where he needs to improve,“ Thielen added. “He’s a young player, and it’s not hard to understand the challenges he’s faced. Being drafted high comes with big expectations, and then getting injured in your first year makes it even tougher.
“When you’re on injured reserve, you’re not around the team in the same way. You’re not practicing, and you’re not getting reps on the field. That’s a lot of missed development time, so he’s had quite a few things working against him.”
Vikings QB J.J. McCarthy Lands Strong Take Before NFL Draft