Will JJ McCarthy be traded before Week 1?

I voted no:

• My gut says JJM has future days here at QB

• Selling now would be selling a top 10 pick on the low, that wouldn't be very bright

• All bets off for 27

purplefaithful wrote:

I voted no:
My gut says JJM has future days here at QB
Selling now would be selling a top 10 pick on the low, that wouldn't be very bright
All bets off for 27

I don't think it's impossible, but I think trading him would be foolish. What you could get for him in trade is far outweighed by what he might still develop into. I don't know what the odds are of JJ still becoming a franchise guy, but if there's any chance at all, you can't just jettison that for a 4th rounder.

I voted no and I'm sure the Vikings had a good talk with him about where he needs to improve. Hopefully the trust between our coaches and JJ is still strong because I think he has a lot of great traits and leadership qualities. I do think he would have been better served quietly developing behind the scenes last season after missing most of his rookie year and a lot of practice reps. Looks like he'll get that now, it's up to him to use this opportunity to continue growing.

Here's what Albert Breer noted when he was at Vikings camp recently.

"As for J.J. McCarthy, I will say folks here have lauded his handling of the competition, and the receiving the news this morning. He’s taken jumps fundamentally and technique-wise, and the hope is he keeps developing behind the scenes and plays a little faster and with more accuracy, which can come with time."

MAD GAINZ wrote:

I voted no and I'm sure the Vikings had a good talk with him about where he needs to improve. Hopefully the trust between our coaches and JJ is still strong because I think he has a lot of great traits and leadership qualities. I do think he would have been better served quietly developing behind the scenes last season after missing most of his rookie year and a lot of practice reps. Looks like he'll get that now, it's up to him to use this opportunity to continue growing.
Here's what Albert Breer noted when he was at Vikings camp recently.
"As for J.J. McCarthy, I will say folks here have lauded his handling of the competition, and the receiving the news this morning. He’s taken jumps fundamentally and technique-wise, and the hope is he keeps developing behind the scenes and plays a little faster and with more accuracy, which can come with time."

Yup...And (as we've discussed b4) KOC knew it too.

KAM fingerprints all over the last in a long list of bad decisions he made. What a disaster hire he was.

I think it hurt JJM getting thrown out there b4 he was ready.

The narrative now shifts from 9 to how we can win big in 26 with K1.

I think you have to define how to best achieve “best team” and define what JJM is. In one reality, Kyler stays healthy for the rest of his career and “best team” means you’re worried about how to optimize things for his future. In another reality, Kyler gets injured for 8 games, and “best team” means having a competent QB strategy for the rest of the season and beyond. In a 3rd reality, Kyler is more okish, and by the end of 2026, we’re getting vibes that he just isn’t taking us to the SB.

I think you look at all those scenarios, and in my mind, if Kyler can’t perform under the pressure of having a competent backup, what are we even doing here? And in the likely event that he gets injured, why would we get rid of the QB that still has potential for an upward trajectory.

I think the reason you would get rid of JJM, is if the team decides that KOC/McCown, just aren’t capable of dealing with inexperienced QBs. The schemes too hard or their training style only really works for veterans or whatever. Or if he’s 100% a lost cause. Then you’re better off trading him to someplace else.

I think a scenario where you trade JJM, and then Kyler gets injured or underperforms and the team doesn’t appear to have a viable option for a QB, is a straight shot for KOC to get immediately fired. If Kyler has a typical start hot, finish cool Kyler season and we lose a wild card game due to him collapsing for a sack, followed by a deep interception.

IMO

Teasley and KOC having a conversation... is there a future here for JJM? Could be eventually be a franchise QB? Does he bring value to the team?

Or clean up Kwesi's mess on isle 9

I say he wont be on the roster by the start of the 2027 season.

purplefaithful wrote:

I voted no:
My gut says JJM has future days here at QB
Selling now would be selling a top 10 pick on the low, that wouldn't be very bright
All bets off for 27

Your gut? What did you have for breakfast? (jk)

1st round picks that got traded with in the first few years

Trey Lance

Justin Fields

Zach Wilson

Josh Rosen

Sam Darnold

I don't think he gets traded unless he asks for it. Where would he go and have a chance to start?

His best chance to ever start is still with the Vikings. He knows the system and is improving. Murray may get hurt or suck, giving him a chance to start. Murray may play all year then leave.

Unless JJ decides to leave, he still has a fair chance of being the starter by next year.

JJ McCarthy’s days in Minnesota “are now numbered,” @AdamSchefter mentioned via @GetUpESPN.

Schefter floated the Chargers as a potential destination, considering his college coach Jim Harbaugh is the HC there. pic.twitter.com/42JxLVawI8

— VikingzFanPage (@vikingzfanpage) August 12, 2026

JJ McCarthy is set to speak to the #Vikings media today. pic.twitter.com/zpRqnTxhxK

— VikingzFanPage (@vikingzfanpage) August 12, 2026

He’s gone…..only a matter of when.

In this story: It is well known around the league J.J. McCarthy’s play in 2025 wore on Kevin O’Connell and the offensive staff. That, as much as anything else, contributed to months long projections of Kyler Murray as the starter. https://t.co/GNpZpfWdXW

— Alec Lewis (@alec_lewis) August 12, 2026

StickierBuns wrote:

https://x.com/vikingzfanpage/status/2087560409649676593?s=46&t=ohFAAgt56m6anXyDpx1btQ

That's interesting. Michigan Man Schefty was throwing a Twitter pity party over yesterday's announcement.

But he's still a decent source. Is this info or more performance?

I don't own a crystal ball so I don't know what will happen, but my opinion based on everything we've heard and seen over the last year and all the moves that the team has made is, he needs a fresh start somewhere.

That's the pattern with every young QB who doesn't cut it with the team that drafted him. Bounce to a new place and try again. It just doesn't magically turn around for guys once it's turned bad on team #1.

If they trade him now, they get everything they deserve. I just don't get it. Dude was 22 years old, drafted at 21. Played 10 games, some partially injured. Does everyone really think they are so smart that they know exactly what they have now? If they know this soon, how come a #10 overall pick was wasted here? Please don't tell me this is just a KAM mess. KOC has every bit of culpability in this as anyone. It's just so Vikings. Lets sign on for another 10-12 win season, 1st round playoff loss, 22nd overall draft pick and ass scratching for next years QB solution....

If you can get anything for him even a 6th round pick you take it. The fact this is his third year and still has trouble with progressions is an alarming sign. He should know this offense like the back of his hand. He just isn’t an NFL quarterback.

StickierBuns wrote:

https://x.com/vikingzfanpage/status/2087560409649676593?s=46&t=ohFAAgt56m6anXyDpx1btQ

They are only numbered if he wants out and forces a trade. I'd hope he views this as an opportunity to grow and show the coaches by the end of the season that he's ready to be a starter.

He kept it close with a 7-year vet that has played well in this league. If he can anticipate better on routes in the middle of the field and get thru his progressions quicker, he can absolutely be our franchise QB. He hits the deep out and sideline throws much better than Kyler with his big arm and accuracy. Problem is he struggled with accuracy and anticipation in the middle of the field and look back when Darnold and Cousins were here... those intermediate and deep crossers are a staple of this offense. KOC is one of the best in the business of designing chunk plays in the passing game. Gotta be able to make throws using the whole field.

No team is going to give up a premium pick for JJM with the quantity of quality QBs projected to be available in the 2027 draft. If you're looking to develop a young QB, you keep your own picks & draft one rather than trading for another teams retread.

I voted NO. From a value perspective, it doesn't make sense to trade him. From a development perspective, it doesn't make sense to trade him unless they think he's done developing. From a professional perspective, JJM better not be "butt-hurt" given his play last year. No other NFL team is going to offer him the starting job. He needs to suck it up and keep learning and trying to improve. If he becomes a headache, then that changes my vote.

I don't think so at all. You need to see that his progressions and decisions need to be made quicker. He has come a long way. I would have to guess they have said they want him to stay. Injuries happen. Bad play happens. I don't feel they want to give up on him, they shouldn't. Unless some team comes along and knocks your socks off with an offer, then maybe. I think it is best to learn as much as you can. Stay ready. If JJ does happen to get the job back due to injury or other, I will say he won't give it back to Kyler. That is me thinking he will have enough to simply go out and play and perform. Not think as much. Keep the job. He has come a long ways since last year. Still the 2nd youngest QB in the league. Stay in MN, JJ. The locker room LOVES you.

That isn't what I am hoping for, I am hoping for a great year and to profit off the talking heads that haven't stopped about Kyler in hopes they are right.

purplefaithful wrote:

Yup...And (as we've discussed b4) KOC knew it too.
KAM fingerprints all over the last in a long list of bad decisions he made. What a disaster hire he was.

You can blame Kwesi for a lot, but you can't blame Kwesi for executing the "competitive rebuild" plan set forth by ownership. You know, building around a rookie quarterback on a rookie contract and all that? The same quarterback signed off on by our quarterback savant head coach in drafting and developing him. There's enough blame to go around, but any McCarthy blame falls squarely on the shoulders of OConnell, who in my opinion should never, EVER, be entrusted in the development of another young quarterback again in Minnesota. He can stick with the rent-a-vet cycle, which he is clearly more comfortable with.