With Kyler Murray and Carson Wentz in the Minnesota Vikings, the J.J. McCarthy chapter may be coming to an end. USA TODAY’s Jack McKassey predicts that the 23-year-old quarterback will be traded on draft day.Minnesota signed two veteran signal-callers this offseason with starting experience. McCarthy will be expected to compete for the starter role with Murray. Wentz will be expected to battle for the QB2 role.McKassey suggests Minnesota should move on from its 2024 draft pick and trade him for more draft picks. ESPN’s Bill Barnwell suggests an interesting trade package for the Vikings:The Los Angeles Rams acquire the 18th overall first-round pick, the 97th overall third-round pick, along with McCarthy, whereas Minnesota acquires the 13th overall first-round pick.Matthew Stafford is approaching 40, and the Rams need a long-term solution at QB. McCarthy could be turned around by great coaches like Sean McVay. And there’s more! Let’s find out, shall we?
NFL Trade Rumors: Vikings QB J.J. McCarthy linked to Matthew Stafford led Rams
McCarthy was a CFP national champion and Rose Bowl Offensive MVP. He was listed as the Big Ten Quarterback of the Year in 2023. Come the 2024 NFL Draft, the Vikings picked him as their first-round, 10th overall pick. However, he could not shine there: missed his first NFL season due to a complete meniscus tear in his knee.He underwent surgery for it and landed on the injured reserve list. Sam Darnold took his spot then in 2024. Come the 2025 season, McCarthy was expected to return to his 2023 college football form:240 completions on 332 attempts for 2,991 passing yards and 22 touchdowns. He also clocked 202 rushing yards and three rushing touchdowns. He had just four interceptions. He led the Michigan Wolverines to a 15-0 record and won the National Championship against the Alabama Crimson Tide.But what happened? He was again sidelined for seven games due to injuries [a high ankle sprain, a concussion, and a small hairline fracture in his throwing hand]. Carson Wentz took his spot. In the 10 games that McCarthy played, he recorded 140 completions on 243 attempts for 1,632 passing yards and 11 touchdowns.He had 12 interceptions and was sacked 27 times. Anyhow, expecting a full season from him may be difficult. Barnwell says, “It might be tough to count on him [McCarthy] making it through a full 17-game season, let alone playing well in the process.”For this matter, Los Angeles makes perfect sense. There is a veteran QB there, Matthew Stafford, who is known to play through broken ribs [dedication is beyond the roof in such players].The veteran could handle the fort while the developing rookie could take his own time to acclimate to the gridiron. McCarthy has NFL experience, but 2026 would be his third season, and he has only played in 10 games.
Jimmy Johnson draft trade value for Minnesota QB is mid fourth round selection
Barnwell reports that, according to Jimmy Johnson’s chart, the Vikings QB’s trade value is 112th pick in a typical draft. That is a selection in the middle of the fourth round. “And the Rams would be on the hook for $6.6M over the next two years, which isn’t much for a developmental backup QB,” the analyst wrote. According to Spotrac, the Michigan alum signed a four-year, $21M contract with Minnesota, including a $12M signing bonus, $21M in guaranteed money, and a $5M average annual income. In 2026, he is scheduled to earn a $1M base salary and a $1.7M roster bonus while carrying a $5.9M cap hit and a $6.3M dead cap value. His total career earnings over one season are $15M [through 2026].
Los Angeles coach Sean McVay could turn around J.J. McCarthy’s career as he did with Baker Mayfield
The ESPN analyst suggests that “great coaches have a habit of revitalizing quarterbacks who didn’t look like NFL-caliber starters.”In 2022, Tampa Bay Buccaneers QB Baker Mayfield played for the Rams. Sean McVay turned around Mayfield’s career after he had been declared a bust in Cleveland and Carolina.Mayfield played just five games for Los Angeles in 2022, and he recorded 82 completions on 142 attempts for 850 yards and four touchdowns. He had two interceptions. But acquired an 86.4 passer rating. So, would McVay do the same with McCarthy? Remains to be seen…
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