New York Giants defensive finish Chauncey Golston brings down Minnesota Vikings quarterback J.J. McCarthy throughout a highway matchup late within the common season. On Dec. 21, 2025, Golston recorded the sack within the first half at MetLife Stadium, making use of stress as Minnesota battled the Giants in East Rutherford. Necessary Credit score: Robert Deutsch-Imagn Photos.
As a result of Kyler Murray seems to be the runaway frontrunner to win the Minnesota Vikings’ QB1 job this summer time, some NFL-themed media shops consider Murray’s competitors, J.J. McCarthy, might be traded.
A to Z Sports activities sized up touchdown spots for McCarthy, touchdown on the New York Jets because the wisest possibility from the Vikings’ standpoint.
Vikings QB Plan Nonetheless Factors towards Holding the Younger Passer
A themed Gotham Metropolis rivalry helmet sits on the sphere earlier than kickoff, including a singular visible ingredient to the pregame ambiance at MetLife Stadium. On Dec. 7, 2025, the show was positioned earlier than the New York Jets hosted the Miami Dolphins, highlighting one of many AFC East’s longstanding rivalries. Necessary Credit score: Vincent Carchietta-Imagn Photos.
A to Z Sports activities Lands on Jets as High McCarthy Commerce Associate
Rob Gregson led the cost for McCarthy to the Jets, writing, “Jets receive: J.J. McCarthy. Vikings receive: 2027 5th-round pick (conditional pick that rises to a 3rd with 70% snaps played). Let’s be honest, the New York Jets aren’t going to field a very competitive team in 2026, or at least not on the offensive side of the ball.”
“After his career resurgence in Seattle, Geno Smith has regressed to the mean over the past couple of seasons, including a year to forget in Vegas last year. Even if he recaptures the magic of his 2022-2023 campaigns in Seattle, Smith turns 36 in October.”
New York additionally has rookie passer Cade Klubnik within the combine.
Gregson continued, “The Jets are searching for their quarterback of the future, and they are well-positioned to do so in the 2027 class with three 1st-rounders. But why delay the process? Let’s say you trade for J.J. McCarthy, he wins the backup job, and then at some point during the season, you turn to him. Now, let’s say he plays well.”
“Suddenly, you have a bridge quarterback at the very least, if not a long-term backup. Plus, you will still have all of your premier draft capital, because McCarthy isn’t fetching anything close to a 1st-rounder. A low-risk, high-reward proposition for the Jets here.”
The panel at A to Z Sports activities additionally talked about the Miami Dolphins and Arizona Cardinals as commerce companions however settled on the Jets as the neatest: “Vikings should select trade proposal from Jets. There are two things at play here: getting proper draft capital back for McCarthy, but also getting him an opportunity to potentially be a starting quarterback somewhere.”
“The Dolphins offered the best package from a guaranteed draft pick standpoint, but the Jets offering a condition on the fifth-round pick to improve it into a third-round pick, while only having Geno Smith in his way makes it the smartest move.”
Destined to Fail?
The Jets — particularly proper now — wouldn’t be one of the best scenario for any quarterback, particularly McCarthy, who should hone his consistency to catch on as a long-term starter. Foremost, he’d be trapped in a QB2 function behind Smith as a result of, for some motive or one other, the Jets simply love Smith.
McCarthy would even have Klubnik respiratory down his neck, notable as a result of the present entrance workplace regime hand-picked him within the draft a month and a half in the past.
And — it’s the Jets. What number of occasions in current reminiscence or NFL historical past has New York hosted a profitable redemption story — or a long-term quarterback in any respect? McCarthy might hand the ball off to Breece Corridor and sling it to Garrett Wilson and Kenyon Sadiq, however the Jets aren’t the dream setup for the teenager.
The one factor he might need going for him, down the highway, is enjoying time.
Vikings More likely to Hold McCarthy
Minnesota’s 2025 quarterback technique confronted a important flaw: an absence of viable alternate options. The Vikings might have retained Sam Darnold after a 14-3 season. They might have introduced in Daniel Jones for an additional yr or pursued Aaron Rodgers. They might even have eased McCarthy into the beginning function, making his rookie yr smoother.
Minnesota Vikings quarterback J.J. McCarthy goes by way of pregame warm-ups forward of a key NFC North highway matchup towards Detroit. On Nov. 2, 2025, McCarthy ready at Ford Discipline earlier than Minnesota’s showdown with the Lions, persevering with his first season because the Vikings’ beginning quarterback. Necessary Credit score: Lon Horwedel-Imagn Photos.
As a substitute, they bypassed these choices and instantly entrusted McCarthy with the beginning place, accepting the implications. He didn’t absolutely excel, and the Vikings missed the playoffs. By February, their quarterback scenario was again to sq. one.
And that is the place Murray turns into a pivotal addition. He gives the Vikings with one thing they lacked final yr: a real Plan B. McCarthy can nonetheless earn the beginning job, however so can Murray. Minnesota is now not pressured to place all its hopes on a single younger quarterback to develop below stress.
Whereas this doesn’t assure excellent quarterback play — nothing does — having two sturdy contenders for QB1 is a major enchancment over counting on one unsure prospect.
Given Murray and McCarthy as long-term potentialities, buying and selling the youthful participant makes little sense. Two of the final three Vikings seasons have been derailed by quarterback accidents. It could be unwise to discard a quarterback possibility so quickly.
Chargers Make Most Sense In any other case
Suppose McCarthy is traded. The Chargers are the one spot that is smart — due to Jim Harbaugh. He nurtured McCarthy at Michigan and appears to “get him.” The 2 received a Nationwide Championship collectively in 2023.
Michigan head coach Jim Harbaugh celebrates with quarterback J.J. McCarthy after a landing cross throughout a rivalry recreation towards Michigan State. On Oct. 21, 2023, McCarthy helped energy the Wolverines at Spartan Stadium in East Lansing, including one other spotlight to a season that ultimately ended with a nationwide championship. Necessary Credit score: Nick King-USA TODAY NETWORK.
In fact, McCarthy would sit behind Justin Herbert, and he received’t give up the QB1 job. However Herbert has missed 5 video games within the final three seasons. Maybe dwelling below Harbaugh’s tutelage would work wonders for McCarthy. Any time Harbaugh is requested about McCarthy, he simply raves about him.
Usually talking, a McCarthy commerce is unlikely to come back to fruition this summer time until he calls for one.
Dustin Baker is a novelist and political scientist. His second novel, The Invaders , is out now. So is … Extra about Dustin Baker
