J.J. McCarthy enters the preseason with less job security than the Minnesota Vikings imagined for their 2024 first-round pick. His third training camp has arrived with Kyler Murray favored to start, leaving McCarthy to change Kevin O’Connell’s mind or interest another team.
McCarthy can’t afford another inconsistent summer. A poor August would leave Minnesota keeping a quarterback it no longer trusts or dumping him for peanuts. But a strong August could make him a trading chip if Murray wins outright.
J.J. McCarthy can build trade value even if Kyler Murray wins the Minnesota Vikings job
“There's two scenarios with McCarthy really,” SKOR North's Phil Mackey said on the “Purple Daily” podcast. “There's McCarthy not playing well and it's a blowout, in which case I think it's hard to trade him unless you're just going to completely sell low.”
Mackey floated a seventh-round pick as the return. Minnesota used the 10th pick on McCarthy two years ago, so taking that little would be an admission nobody at TCO Performance Center wants to make.
McCarthy, 23, has completed 140 of 243 career passes for 1,632 yards, 11 touchdowns and 12 interceptions, with a 72.6 passer rating. He also has 181 rushing yards and four scores. Because 2025 was his only regular season, each total is a career high, though a 57.6 percent completion rate explains why Murray has the inside track.
Carson Wentz sits third on the depth chart. At 33, he's no spring chicken in NFL terms, but Minnesota could do worse if trading McCarthy makes him Murray's backup.
“But if he's playing well and maybe shows out in a couple preseason games and still loses the battle, is there a team out there that would say, 'Oh man, that's interesting'?” Mackey said.
McCarthy could rebuild his value by playing well in August, even if it isn’t enough to beat Murray. The Los Angeles Rams could let Matthew Stafford mentor him, although rookie Ty Simpson would complicate that room. The Los Angeles Chargers offer a Jim Harbaugh reunion, while the Baltimore Ravens and Indianapolis Colts could view McCarthy as developmental depth and backup insurance.
“There might be more doors open if he, like, balls out in a couple preseason games,” Mackey added. “That's all I'm saying.”
SKOR North's Thor Nystrom also identified the Pittsburgh Steelers and Miami Dolphins as possible destinations last month. If a club loses a quarterback in August, Minnesota would have a reason to ask for more than Mackey's proposed seventh-round pick.
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