Jan 4, 2026; Minneapolis, Minnesota, USA; Minnesota Vikings quarterback J.J. McCarthy (9) talks with a referee earlier than the sport in opposition to the Inexperienced Bay Packers at U.S. Financial institution Stadium. Necessary Credit score: Jeffrey Becker-Imagn Pictures
J.J. McCarthy isn’t on the commerce market. Except one thing uncommon occurs, that’ll stay the case for the rest of 2026 and into 2027.
Afterwards, all bets are off.
The Vikings intend to have a stuffed-full quarterback room, however that doesn’t imply groups received’t be calling. In spite of everything, McCarthy has been a disappointment in Minnesota and the GM that pulled off the choose is gone. Connecting the dots isn’t troublesome. Which groups are life like matches for Mr. McCarthy? Think about a trio that appear to be cheap bets to have some extent of curiosity.
J.J. McCarthy and The Commerce Market
Commerce Vacation spot No. 1 — San Francisco 49ers
Brad Rempel-Imagn Pictures
Kyle Shanahan would determine it out. He’s a terrific coach, anyone who has confirmed way over Kevin O’Connell.
Going to San Francisco would imply being the QB3 for the upcoming season behind Brock Purdy and Mac Jones. Absorbing knowledge from extra achieved veterans away from the highlight could be a pleasant consequence. Subsequent yr, Jones seemingly lands someplace to battle for a prime job as McCarthy can then burn off the ultimate season of his rookie deal as the principle backup.
Working underneath Shanahan would do wonders for the child. San Francisco is aware of the best way to run.
Commerce Vacation spot No. 2 — New York Jets
Dec 21, 2025; New Orleans, Louisiana, USA; New York Jets head coach Aaron Glenn is seen earlier than a sport in opposition to the New Orleans Saints at Caesars Superdome. Necessary Credit score: Matthew Hinton-Imagn Pictures
An odd actuality is that the Jets and Vikings have generally coveted the identical passers. If reminiscence serves, New York opted to commerce for Geno Smith as a consequence of considerations about Minnesota scooping him up. Likewise, there was some chatter about Carson Wentz being a attainable depth possibility for the Jets previous to returning to the Vikings.
Journeying again in time would imply uplifting the Brett Favre state of affairs. Aaron Rodgers went to the Jets however needed the Vikings (like Favre). Kirk Cousins opted for Minnesota within the 2018 free company interval with the Jets being the opposite suitor (he’s now getting in fights in Sin Metropolis). Sam Darnold was a Jets draft choose who would do effectively for the Vikings.
Might J.J. McCarthy be the subsequent quarterback connection?
Commerce Vacation spot No. 3 — The Los Angeles Chargers
Nov 3, 2024; Cleveland, Ohio, USA; Los Angeles Chargers head coach Jim Harbaugh congratulates operating again J.Okay. Dobbins (27) on his landing in opposition to the Cleveland Browns throughout the fourth quarter at Huntington Financial institution Discipline. Necessary Credit score: Scott Galvin-Imagn Pictures
The Vikings had been very near hiring Jim Harbaugh. As a substitute, the outspoken coach went again to the NCAA stage and received a Nationwide Championship with J.J. McCarthy
A reunion does make sense.
No one goes to displace Justin Herbert because the QB1 in Tinseltown. McCarthy may go to LA to study and develop. Get his physique proper, proceed fixing his mechanics, and let Harbaugh put confidence again into him. In a few seasons, go to free company as a proficient mid-20s QB who can hopefully get his profession going once more. Perhaps he may mirror what Malik Willis did with Inexperienced Bay.
J.J. McCarthy is 23 and coming off some up-and-down work at coaching camp.
Senior Editor for Vikings Territory & PurplePTSD . Twitter & Bluesky: @VikingsGazette. E-mail: ok.joudry[at]vikingsterritory[dot]com. Canadian. Jude 1:24-25.
