he Minnesota Vikings are heading into 2026 with a QB room of Kyler Murray, Carson Wentz, and J.J. McCarthy.
Many are asking if there’s even a reason to keep McCarthy around town if Minnesota felt compelled enough to sign Murray. Murray still has good years ahead of him, and isn’t the typical “bridge” QB. When he’s on, he’s arguably a top-12 signal caller in the league.
There’s no denying that Vikings’ QB J.J. McCarthy has had bountiful struggles already in his young NFL career.
Including playoffs, McCarthy has only been available for 10 of a total 35 games. That looks even worse when he failed to finish two of them (@NYG, vs. GB in 2025).
Compounding on the unavailability thus far in his career. the play in his appearances has been concerning. Consider McCarthy’s advanced metrics in 2025.
- Lowest passer rating (72.6)
- Lowest adjusted net yardage per pass attempt (4.3yds)
- Lowest on-target percentage (66.5%)
- 2nd-lowest passing success rate (41.1%)
- 2nd-lowest pass yards per game of any QB that started at least 10 games (163.2yds)
- 3rd-lowest QBR (35.6)
- 5th-lowest net yards per pass attempt (5.49yds)
- 6th-lowest pressure-to-sack rate (23.5%)
- 8th-lowest overall QB PFF grade (61.8)
- 8th-lowest PFF passing grade (60.1)
- Most interceptions of any QB that played 10 games or less (12)
- 2nd-highest bad-throw percentage (21.3%)
J.J. McCarthy has been brought up in a few trade scenarios since the Vikings signed Murray earlier this off-season. Unfortunately for them, the value they’d want for him just probably isn’t there.
Vikings Receive Concerning Take Regarding a J.J. McCarthy Trade
GettyJ.J. McCarthy #9 of the Minnesota Vikings reacts during the game against the Chicago Bears at Soldier Field on September 08, 2025 in Chicago, Illinois. (Photo by Michael Reaves/Getty Images)
The former Michigan Wolverine received a vote of little confidence to return the Vikings much draft capital in a trade from Dustin Baker of Vikings Territory.
“Maybe I’m the only one who continues to believe this, but I don’t think the Vikings are really trying to have a quarterback competition between J.J. 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 eventually going to deal him, this is the window — either during this draft or afterward — with a team that is looking for a young developmental backup. This is going to become an Anthony Richardson/Zach Wilson scenario quickly, where there is just no value to be had from a former high draft pick. And something to keep in mind about whether McCarthy is even tradable: Malik Willis’ starting career looked like it was torched after his first two years with the Tennessee Titans, but he landed in the right place in Green Bay and turned it around.
McCarthy needs that kind of new start. If they can get a look at a guy at a reasonable price, teams will deal for quarterbacks if they haven’t completely gone off a cliff yet.”
Could Minnesota Passively Rebuild McCarthy’s Trade Value?
GettyDETROIT, MICHIGAN – NOVEMBER 02: J.J. McCarthy #9 of the Minnesota Vikings is pushed out of bounds by Al-Quadin Muhammad #96 of the Detroit Lions during the fourth quarter in the game at Ford Field on November 02, 2025 in Detroit, Michigan. (Photo by Mike Mulholland/Getty Images)
If the Vikings are to trade McCarthy, it’s not likely that it will be this offseason.
Minnesota would likely do so next offseason before they must make a decision on his fifth-year option. If Murray were to start all 17 games this year, then theoretically, McCarthy’s trade value could go back up a little.
Minnesota could sell teams on McCarthy “working hard” behind the scenes. The league respects Kevin O’Connell, and someone probably wouldn’t mind taking a dart-throw at one of this projects.
Of course, his trade value would soar if he were to play this season and play well. However, at that point, Minnesota would probably keep him around.
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