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J.J. McCarthy #9 of the Minnesota Vikings throws a pass against the Green Bay Packers during the second quarter at U.S. Bank Stadium on January 04, 2026 in Minneapolis, Minnesota. (Photo by Stephen Maturen/Getty Images)
The Minnesota Vikings have an interesting situation brewing following their decision to sign former Arizona Cardinals quarterback Kyler Murray.
While they only gave Murray a one-year deal, there is a very good chance he could become their long-term quarterback. That would leave 2024 first-round pick J.J. McCarthy in an awkward situation as a lame duck quarterback.
McCarthy went into the 2025 NFL season as the Vikings’ starter. Unfortunately, he dealt with multiple injury issues and was inconsistent when he played.
Since the signing of Murray, a lot of speculation has been swirling about McCarthy’s future. Many believe that he could turn into a trade candidate before the 2026 NFL Draft. Others think Minnesota could keep him for one more season and then make a final decision next offseason.
With that being said, one former NFL general manager has suggested a potentially perfect trade fit for McCarthy.
Former NFL GM Shares Potential Trade Destination for Vikings’ J.J. McCarthy
During an appearance on “First Take,” Mike Tannenbaum brought up the idea of McCarthy reuniting with former Michigan head coach Jim Harbaugh on the Los Angeles Chargers.
“There could be a transfer from like J.J. McCarthy going from Minnesota down to Southern California, get reunited with Jim Harbaugh,” Tannenbaum said.
“So, you know, if I’m Minnesota, I wouldn’t give up on him because he’s only started 10 games. He’s 23. But if they’re like looking for a clean break here, the Chargers need a backup quarterback. And if you’re J.J. McCarthy, why not go with the guy that you want to title with.”
If there was one place in the NFL that would offer McCarthy a perfect situation, it would be the Chargers and Harbaugh. McCarthy won a national championship with Harbaugh as his head coach during his final season with the Wolverines.
Of course, all of that would depend on whether or not the Vikings are willing to trade him. The Chargers also might not be willing to pay the price that Minnesota wants in return due to the presence of franchise quarterback Justin Herbert.
It’s Way Too Early to Give Up on J.J. McCarthy
At the end of the day, the NFL is a results based league. The Vikings’ 2025 season did not end as good as they anticipated.
McCarthy’s lack of availability and his under par performance through 10 games wasn’t enough to keep Minnesota from bringing in competition. However, it’s unlikely that Kevin O’Connell and the Vikings will cut ties with him this offseason.
That could change, but Minnesota likely is eyeing a quarterback competition between McCarthy and Murray as a way to bring out the best in both signal callers.
More than likely, McCarthy will play out the 2026 season with the Vikings. Depending on what happens next year, McCarthy’s name could be in play as a top-tier trade candidate during the 2027 NFL offseason.
Evan Massey Evan Massey is a sports reporter and analyst located in Indianapolis, Indiana who covers the NFL, NBA, MLB, WNBA, and college sports. He has been featured on many publications, including Newsweek, Athlon Sports, ESPN, Yahoo! Sports, Forbes, Bleacher Report, Sporting News, and many others. In his free time, Evan enjoys spending time with his wife and son. More about Evan Massey
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