Although Minnesota Vikings quarterback J.J. McCarthy hasn’t taken a snap, he continues to be the subject of trade rumors.
McCarthy suffered a season-ending knee injury in preseason. Despite that, ESPN’s Mel Kiper Jr. said QB-needy teams would be willing to send the Vikings a massive package for the 21-year-old.
“There’s talk that [McCarthy] could bring three draft picks, which would include the No. 1 overall pick, by the way,” Kiper said on a Thursday episode of the “First Draft” podcast. “OK. So, that’s in the discussion. It could be a possibility.”
The Tennessee Titans (3-14) have the No. 1 overall pick in the 2025 NFL Draft, scheduled for April 24-26 in Green Bay, and they need a QB. Second-year QB Will Levis went 2-10 in 12 starts this season.
In his latest mock draft, CBS Sports’ Ryan Wilson has the Titans taking Miami QB Cam Ward with the top pick. Ward threw 39 touchdown passes in 13 games this season, but some think McCarthy may have more upside.
In a recent interview with ESPN Radio, ESPN’s Adam Schefter said, “McCarthy would’ve been a top, if not the top QB in this draft.”
However, it wouldn’t make sense for a team to trade multiple picks for a quarterback who is recovering from a significant injury and has yet to play.
The Vikings, meanwhile, may want to retain McCarthy, whom they selected with the No. 10 overall pick in the 2024 NFL Draft.
Vikings starting QB Sam Darnold, 27, is set to enter free agency, and his price tag may be increasing. In 17 starts, he went 14-3, throwing the league’s fifth-most TD passes (35). Spotrac estimates his market value is a four-year, deal worth $54.7M annually.
The Vikings should consider franchise-tagging Darnold. That would stabilize their future at the most important position and give McCarthy more time to learn.
Still, the Vikings’ QB situation bears watching, especially if Darnold excels in their wild-card game against the Los Angeles Rams on Monday at 8 p.m. ET.
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