Could the Vikings trade J.J. McCarthy during the 2026 NFL Draft?

The Minnesota Vikings signed Kyler Murray to be their solution at quarterback. That acquisition implies that a resolution is needed regarding J.J. McCarthy, the 10th overall pick from the 2024 NFL Draft.

McCarthy has only started 10 of 34 possible games in his NFL career. If Minnesota believes that Murray can be the team's long-term answer at quarterback, they could be willing to trade McCarthy this offseason, says Gary Davenport of Bleacher Report.

Davenport thinks that if the Vikings were to trade McCarthy, it may make sense to wait until the summer when the quarterback competition is decided. If McCarthy doesn't win the job, the Vikings could decide to move on while the 23-year-old quarterback still has value.

Will McCarthy ever be a viable NFL starter? That remains unclear. With at least two years left on his rookie deal, a quarterback-needy team might still consider offering a second-round pick to the Vikings for the 23-year-old, even if that level of investment would be risky and could backfire—as many aggressive QB swings have for struggling franchises.

Potentially receiving a second-round pick in return could be enticing for the Vikings. However, if a team like the Rams came calling about McCarthy, Minnesota may want to think twice about whether they are making a mistake by moving on from him.

Murray still has the inside track to winning the starting job, and it would take a massive upset for McCarthy to regain his starting status in 2026. A trade may sting, but it could be the best move if the Vikings don't see McCarthy in their future plans.