Minnesota Vikings quarterback J.J. McCarthy (9) scrambles away from strain throughout preseason motion in opposition to the Las Vegas Raiders on Aug. 10, 2024, at U.S. Financial institution Stadium in Minneapolis. The previous first-round quarterback showcased his mobility whereas extending performs throughout his first NFL preseason look. Necessary Credit score: Brad Rempel-Imagn Photographs.
The gradual a part of the Minnesota Vikings’ calendar is upon us, because the workforce concluded minicamp and can start coaching camp on the finish of July. Within the meantime, the rumor mill is alive and effectively. The NFL machine consistently retains theories alive.
Right here’s the version for June twenty seventh.
Vikings Storylines Hold Tilting Towards QB Drama
Minnesota Vikings quarterback J.J. McCarthy (9) warms up throughout pregame preparations earlier than going through the Washington Commanders on Dec. 7, 2025, at U.S. Financial institution Stadium in Minneapolis. The second-year passer readied for one more regular-season begin as Minnesota continued its push towards the postseason. Necessary Credit score: Jeffrey Becker-Imagn Photographs.
Rumor: J.J. McCarthy could also be a commerce candidate for the Cardinals.
Fansided‘s Wynston Wilcox claimed final week that Minnesota ought to or may commerce McCarthy to Arizona.
He opined, “The writing is on the wall; Kyler Murray is the new quarterback in town, and the Minnesota Vikings even brought Carson Wentz back too. That should tell J.J. McCarthy everything he needs to know about his job security in Minnesota.”
“The only good thing about McCarthy staying in Minnesota for now is that both Murray and Wentz are injury-prone; outside of that, he’s as good as traded already. I feel like only the New York Jets would be foolish enough to take a crazy gamble on a quarterback like McCarthy, but the Cardinals also make sense for a couple of reasons.”
McCarthy ended 2025 on an uptick, rating because the league’s sixth-best passer per EPA+CPOE from Week 14 to Week 18.
Wilcox continued, “For one, if Jacoby Brissett doesn’t get his contract situation resolved, Arizona could use this as an opportunity to find another young passer to try and develop. The Cardinals have a lot of holes to patch on this team, and wasting a high pick on a quarterback is a risk that isn’t necessarily worth it in my opinion. That’s why they ultimately get away with a fifth-round and seventh-round pick here.”
“Because of Murray and Wentz’s injury history, I could see the Vikings waiting to trade McCarthy. That said, if he survives Week 1, his value could skyrocket if a team desperately needs a quarterback good enough to start in the interim.”
The Cardinals may want a youthful quarterback possibility, however in all chance, Minnesota isn’t promoting.
Rumor: Dillon Bell is a breakout possibility for Vikings coaching camp.
ESPN discovered one shock participant from each franchise’s minicamp, with Bell getting the dignity in Minnesota.
Kevin Seifert defined, “It can be difficult to gauge receiver skill sets in spring practices, when NFL rules prohibit physical coverage techniques. But it was eye-opening to see Bell — an undrafted rookie from Georgia — working extensively with the second team during drills.”
“That placement spoke volumes about his initial impression with Vikings coaches, who in essence were putting him in the (early) mix to be the No. 4 receiver behind Justin Jefferson, Jordan Addison and Jauan Jennings.”
For the previous two months, Vikings followers have been unusually optimistic about Bell, and now there’s proof to help the summer time buzz.
The actual problem, nevertheless, is but to return. Bell should maintain his minicamp momentum via coaching camp and the preseason. That’s when early summer time reward both materializes into a real roster alternative or dissipates into offseason chatter. The NFL is filled with tales — significantly in June — about under-the-radar gamers who shine earlier than pads come on. But, by July and August, many of those gamers fade from relevance.
Minnesota Vikings quarterback Kyler Murray throws a cross to huge receiver Dillon Bell throughout minicamp on June 2026 on the TCO Efficiency Middle in Eagan. The veteran quarterback labored with Bell as Minnesota evaluated offensive mixtures and gave the rookie receiver priceless first-team follow alternatives. Necessary Credit score: YouTube.
Bell’s true analysis begins in Eagan, adopted by three preseason video games. The ultimate choice on his roster spot will come on cutdown day in August.
It’s the character of summer time standouts: a participant can carry out exceptionally effectively within the preseason and nonetheless not safe a spot on the 53-man roster. Vikings followers witnessed this final 12 months with outdoors linebacker Gabriel Murphy, who generated vital summer time pleasure however finally didn’t make an affect within the common season.
Keep tuned on Bell. The Vikings may use a candy gadget wideout.
Rumor: Former Viking Jeremiah Sirles believes the workforce will set up a QB1 by August ninth.
Sirles usually seems on SKOR North’s Purple Day by day program, and he served up the opinion this week, “I don’t think anyone right now is going, ‘Yeah, I hate this competition.’ I think people are way fine with this competition. But if it goes past the night scrimmage on whatever day, that’s usually like a week, two weeks into camp — if that goes past the night scrimmage without declaring a starter, then I’m gonna start to worry a little bit.”
“It’s more as an offensive lineman going, ‘How long are we gonna let this go before declaring a starter? Week 1 is not that far away, and we need to have as much time on task with QB1 as possible.”
Minnesota Vikings offensive guard Jeremiah Sirles (75) loosens up earlier than taking up the Detroit Lions on Nov. 23, 2017, at Ford Area in Detroit. The veteran lineman ready for an NFC North matchup throughout his time with Minnesota after serving in a number of offensive line roles. Necessary Credit score: Raj Mehta-Imagn Photographs.
Most quarterback battles get a verdict from the pinnacle coach round August 18-20, no less than as of late, so the Vikings would evidently bump up the timeline a bit if Sirles is right.
Murray stays the heavy favourite to win the competitors, in response to oddsmakers.
Dustin Baker is a novelist and political scientist. His second novel, The Invaders , is out now. So is … Extra about Dustin Baker
