The Minnesota Vikings traded J.J. McCarthy to the New York Giants for a 2027 fifth-round pick on Monday, leaving Kyler Murray with more to prove this season. After defeating the Tampa Bay Buccaneers in Week 3, Minnesota is sitting pretty atop the NFC North -- but Murray's first full start showed why McCarthy's exit doesn't settle their 2027 quarterback question.
The trade comes after the Giants’ interest in McCarthy surfaced over the weekend. Carson Wentz had already passed McCarthy on the depth chart, but what’s gone is the young quarterback Minnesota could’ve kept developing if Murray didn’t pan out.
I get why the Vikings moved on. McCarthy threw 11 touchdowns and 12 interceptions in 10 starts last season, and his accuracy too often left receivers fighting the ball. But getting a fifth-round pick for the guy they drafted 10th overall in 2024 stings.
Minnesota is undefeated, but Murray played only briefly in the opener, missed Week 2, and made his first full-game start Sunday.
Kevin O’Connell needs more than big plays from Kyler Murray
Sunday’s 23-16 win in Tampa offered a little of everything. Murray hit Jordan Addison for a 41-yard touchdown after Justin Jefferson hurt his ankle.
It was the kind of throw that makes you want to see this offense at full strength. Murray also finished 15-for-29 for 168 yards, one touchdown, and one interception. The defense and special teams did plenty of the heavy lifting.
I’m not ready to judge him on that game alone. A Week 1 concussion kept him out against Chicago, and Jefferson left early in Tampa. Murray and Minnesota’s best receiver have barely played together.
The passing game looked clunky Sunday, but it’s hard to judge the offense with Jefferson gone most of the afternoon.
Over the rest of the season, Murray needs to give Kevin O’Connell something dependable between those big throws. Can he get through his reads and move the chains when the first option is covered?
Can the Vikings keep a drive going without asking him to escape pressure or Addison to make a difficult catch? Murray’s legs can bail out a play, but they can’t be the whole plan.
According to O'Connell, Jefferson "got close" to returning to Sunday's game, but once healthy, he'll be central to the Murray test. Minnesota needs to see Murray find him on time, adjust when defenses send extra coverage his way, and get Addison and T.J. Hockenson involved when that happens.
One game without Jefferson shouldn’t decide Murray’s future. A longer stretch together should tell the Vikings much more.
Murray, 29, signed a one-year deal with a no-tag clause. Should he prove that he can run this offense consistently, the Vikings will have to convince him to stay.
If they spend the season needing their defense to rescue an erratic passing game, they’ll look for another quarterback in 2027, with McCarthy no longer around as an option.
Add us as a preferred source on Google