After signing veteran quarterback Kyler Murray, J.J. McCarthy’s future with the Minnesota Vikings is unclear. While McCarthy could still be the team’s long-time starting quarterback, most pundits don’t expect him to start during the 2026 NFL season.
On Monday, ESPN’s Bill Barnwell proposed a scenario where McCarthy isn’t on the Vikings roster next season.
Barnwell pitched a 2026 NFL Draft trade where the Vikings ship the 23-year-old quarterback as part of a package to move up five spots in the first round.
In the hypothetical trade, the Vikings sent their No. 18 pick, a 2026 third-rounder and McCarthy to the Los Angeles Rams. In return, the Vikings received the No. 13 overall selection.
“The Vikings are unlikely to move forward with the 2024 No. 10 overall pick as their quarterback of the future, having signed Kyler Murray to take over as their starter in 2026 before deciding on McCarthy’s fifth-year option after the season,” Barnwell wrote. “Getting something for the 23-year-old quarterback would make sense if the organization has decided it is going to be heading in a different direction.
“This move up would get the Vikes ahead of the Bucs and Jets if they want to look toward secondary help in Round 1.”
Barnwell didn’t specify who the Vikings would then draft at No. 13 overall. But based on 2026 NFL Draft big boards from the top experts, a move up five spots would put Minnesota within range of defensive backs such as Tennessee’s Jermod McCoy, Toledo’s Emmanuel McNeil-Warren and Oregon’s Dillon Thieneman.
NFL Network’s Daniel Jeremiah ranked those three defensive backs in the No. 15-17 range on his most recent big board.
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