Minnesota Vikings quarterback J.J. McCarthy (9) celebrates after Minnesota sealed a highway win over the Chicago Bears at Soldier Discipline on Sep 8, 2025. The rookie passer helped the Vikings begin NFC North play with a press release, having fun with the second in entrance of a Chicago crowd that had waited all evening to spoil it. Obligatory Credit score: Matt Marton-Imagn Photos.
The Minnesota Vikings have simply over $13 million in cap area, a brand new common supervisor, and a few first rate commerce candidates, with coaching camp starting on the finish of the month. That makes a festive rumor mill, and we have now these rumors for you each weekend.
This week’s batch focuses on J.J. McCarthy (twice) and the Vikings’ principal roster want proper now — an additional OLB.
McCarthy’s Commerce Worth Provides Minnesota a Strangest Summer time Query
Minnesota Vikings quarterback J.J. McCarthy reacts whereas attending a Timberwolves-Nuggets sport at Goal Heart. Jan. 25, 2025, in Minneapolis, McCarthy watched NBA motion throughout his first yr with the group, remaining seen across the Twin Cities whereas recovering from his rookie-season knee harm. Obligatory Credit score: Jeffrey Becker-Imagn Photos
Rumor: J.J. McCarthy is the Vikings’ prime commerce asset this summer season.
On an inventory of distinguished NFL names and notable bench gamers, McCarthy gained Fansided‘s Wynston Wilcox’s consideration for the Vikings, and he scribed a few commerce risk: “J.J. McCarthy is going to be the most talked about backup quarterback aside from Ty Simpson at this point.”
“McCarthy’s days are numbered in Minnesota. The Vikings even thinking about pursuing Anthony Richardson could very well be the end of McCarthy in the Twin Cities. It’s not a matter of if McCarthy will get traded, it’s when. Depending on how he plays this offseason, he’ll either get dealt before Week 1 or closer to the deadline. Should McCarthy be traded? Yes.”
Right here’s the uncomfortable reality about McCarthy that nobody needs to say aloud: If the Vikings secretly imagine he isn’t their long-term answer, then this summer season presents the optimum window to commerce him.
By subsequent offseason, his worth might significantly diminish. Ought to McCarthy endure one other harm or carry out poorly in 2026, quarterback-needy groups received’t supply a lot for him. He’d be seen equally to how Anthony Richardson or Will Levis are perceived now — an intriguing prospect, however at a reduced value.
This could doubtless translate to a Fifth-Spherical decide, or one thing in that vary. Yikes.
Minnesota would possibly nonetheless place confidence in McCarthy; that’s the aim of this summer season’s competitors. Nevertheless, in the event that they’ve already had a change of coronary heart internally, ready is not going to improve his commerce worth. It should solely present one other yr of doubtless brutal proof.
The Vikings in all probability received’t commerce McCarthy — they want QB depth — however now could be the most effective time to do it.
Rumor: McCarthy has narrowed the chances to win the QB1 battle at coaching camp.
Coaching camp is about 3.5 weeks away, and FanDuel has up to date chances for the Vikings’ quarterback competitors:
Kyler Murray: -770JJ McCarthy: +520Carson Wentz: +7000
Minnesota Vikings quarterback J.J. McCarthy warms up earlier than kickoff throughout pregame routines at MetLife Stadium. Dec. 21, 2025, in East Rutherford, McCarthy went by timing drills and footwork as Minnesota finalized preparations forward of a late-season highway matchup. Obligatory Credit score: Robert Deutsch-Imagn Photos
Nevertheless, the narrative shifted later in June. McCarthy started to shut the hole, whereas Murray threw a couple of puzzling interceptions throughout observe in Eagan. Apply interceptions are removed from definitive, however they actually reignited the dialog.
The competitors, it appears, is much from formally over. Murray stays the favourite, bolstered by his expertise and his veteran standing. But McCarthy nonetheless has a reliable probability, having held the beginning place in 2025 and sustaining a continued presence within the competitors.
July and August will in the end decide the result. For now, Murray holds the lead, however McCarthy stays a contender. Will probably be the Vikings’ first true quarterback competitors since 2014.
Rumor: Minnesota, certainly, will in all probability signal an outdoor linebacker in free company.
The Athletic studied one central query for every NFL staff main into coaching camp, and for the Vikings, that was OLB.
Alec Lewis wrote, “Who will they add for depth at edge rusher? Because quarterback continues to dominate the conversation in Minnesota, other parts of the roster remain overlooked. Edge rusher is one of them.”
“The Vikings traded Jonathan Greenard to the Philadelphia Eagles. His departure opens the door for 2024 first-rounder Dallas Turner to take the next step. Minnesota also still has the cyborg, Andrew Van Ginkel. Depth behind them warrants a potential addition.”
It’s the primary time in years that followers have needed to fear about pass-rushing depth.
San Francisco 49ers defensive finish Leonard Floyd traces up throughout a sport in opposition to the Detroit Lions at Levi’s Stadium. Dec. 30, 2024, in Santa Clara, Floyd continued his late-season work as a veteran move rusher in a primetime NFC matchup. Obligatory Credit score: Sergio Estrada-Imagn Photos
“If Turner or Van Ginkel miss time with an injury, the Vikings need reliable pass rushers, especially with how much they’re betting on youth on the interior. The team has about $13.1 million in cap space for 2026. Using a chunk of change on edge help is a realistic expectation,” Lewis concluded.
Fortunately, the open market has about 10 first rate OLB choices, together with Jadeveon Clowney and Leonard Floyd.
Don’t be shocked when Minnesota indicators an enormous fish at OLB in summer season free-agent communicate. It’s the very last thing stopping the Vikings from having an honest-to-goodness, playoff-worthy depth chart — one additional EDGE rusher.
Dustin Baker is a novelist and political scientist. His second novel, The Invaders , is out now. So is … Extra about Dustin Baker
