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Sports

J.J. McCarthy Trade Floated by Familiar Source

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J.J. McCarthy warms up on the field before a Vikings road game against the Dallas Cowboys at AT&T Stadium.
Minnesota Vikings quarterback J.J. McCarthy goes through pregame warmups before Minnesota’s late-season road game against the Dallas Cowboys at AT&T Stadium. McCarthy took the field on Dec. 14, 2025, in Arlington, Texas, as the Vikings prepared for an important regular-season matchup with postseason implications. Mandatory Credit: Kevin Jairaj-Imagn Images

Remember the guy last month who suggested that Mark and Zygi Wilf could sell the Minnesota Vikings because the franchise did not spend big in free agency? He’s Pioneer Press’s Charley Walters, and after that theory was instantly and utterly debunked, Walters now believes Minnesota could trade quarterback J.J. McCarthy this summer.

All signs point to McCarthy remaining in Minnesota this season, but Walters isn’t buying it.

Vikings’ QB Takes Keep Getting Stranger

J.J. McCarthy tosses  a pass during a Vikings game against the Green Bay Packers at U.S. Bank Stadium.
Minnesota Vikings quarterback J.J. McCarthy drops back to pass during first-quarter action against the Green Bay Packers at U.S. Bank Stadium. The young signal-caller helped guide Minnesota’s offense on Jan. 4, 2026, in Minneapolis as the Vikings sought to build momentum early during a pivotal NFC North showdown against their longtime rivals. Mandatory Credit: Jeffrey Becker-Imagn Images

Walters: Vikings Could Trade McCarthy

Walters, no stranger to stirring the pot, got in his bag this weekend, writing about McCarthy and the Vikings’ quarterback situation, “It seems unlikely that Carson Wentz re-signed with the Vikings to be the third-string quarterback this season, or that Kyler Murray signed with the Vikings to be the second-string QB.”

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“Curiously, a few weeks ago, during the rookie mini-camp, the Vikings brought in former Dallas-Baltimore QB Cooper Rush for a tryout. Remember, it was Rush who five years ago — subbing for injured Cowboys starter Dak Prescott in a Sunday night game in Minneapolis — passed for 325 yards and two second-half TDs to lead Dallas to a 20-16 victory.”

The Vikings often have veteran quarterbacks on speed dial — like Rush — with Desmond Ridder and John Wolford as examples in 2025.

“Depending on training camp performances, if the Vikings were to get a decent offer — say a third-round draft pick — for QB J.J. McCarthy, it wouldn’t be surprising if Minnesota starts the season with Murray, Wentz and perhaps Rush as its top three QBs,” Walters continued.

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“Rush, now a free agent, played for $4 million for the Ravens last season.”

One Battle after Another

Walter always has something new and spicy to insert into his weekend column; the McCarthy trade proposition is merely the latest chapter.

He recently claimed the Wilfs could sell the team, as mentioned above, because after two years of heavy spending in 2024 and 2025, Minnesota put the clamps on the salary cap credit card, resetting the finances so that 2027 doesn’t look like a financial nightmare next March.

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Walters also infamously claimed in September 2024 that the Vikings might move on from McCarthy six months after drafting him because Sam Darnold could blossom. Darnold later blossomed, and rather than keeping him around, the Vikings stayed loyal to McCarthy — to a fault — and did the opposite of Walters’ hot take.

Vikings Need QB Depth and Insurance

Would it be intriguing to explore a 3rd-Round pick for McCarthy’s services via trade if the club realized that Murray was its meal ticket for 2026 and beyond? Absolutely.

J.J. McCarthy plays in his first preseason game for the Vikings against the Las Vegas Raiders.
Minnesota Vikings rookie quarterback J.J. McCarthy takes snaps and directs the offense during his NFL preseason debut against the Las Vegas Raiders. The appearance came in August 2024 and marked McCarthy’s first game action before a meniscus injury later sidelined him for the entire season, forcing Minnesota to turn to veteran Sam Darnold. Mandatory Credit: YouTube

The problem? No one has a crystal ball, and Murray’s takeoff in Minnesota is not guaranteed. And even if Murray plays wonderfully under center, the fact remains that the man misses about one-quarter of all starts due to injury. If Murray gets hurt in 2026, the Vikings will need a Plan B. McCarthy, hungry to disprove the meme caricature of himself, is a fantastic Plan B, given his upside.

What’s more, two of the last three Vikings seasons have been gutted by quarterback injuries: 2023, when Kirk Cousins tore his Achilles tendon, and 2025, when McCarthy encountered a high ankle sprain, concussion, and a broken hand. Minnesota should not be in the business this summer of subtracting QB1 options; it has been hoarding them all offseason to avoid re-runs of the 2023 and 2025 campaigns.

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Our Steve Hoikkala noted this week, “McCarthy has been polarizing, especially in Vikings fandom. Fans are choosing sides, and I just prefer to root for all of our players wearing purple.”

“Yes that means I can root for Kyler Murray a Vikings fan growing up like Carson Wentz getting to live out a dream as a kid playing quarterback for their favorite team while still rooting for a 23 year old kid in J.J. McCarthy who is a 1st Round Pick that has only played 10 games while showing ‘some’ upside and development to go with an injury riddled season that didn’t meet expectations as well in terms of production.”

Trading McCarthy Feels like a 2027 Talker

Of course, if the Vikings fire up a 2026 season similar to 2024 — finishing 14-3 and reaching the postseason — with Murray fully thriving in the offense, trading McCarthy in 2027 is a different story. By that time, he’d have one year left on his rookie contract, two if Minnesota or a different team opted into his expensive fifth-year option.

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J.J. McCarthy warms up before a Vikings game against the Green Bay Packers at Lambeau Field.
Minnesota Vikings quarterback J.J. McCarthy goes through pregame warm-ups before a road contest against the Green Bay Packers at Lambeau Field. The quarterback prepared for action on Nov. 23, 2025, in Green Bay as Minnesota geared up for another important divisional matchup during the stretch run of the regular season. Mandatory Credit: Jeff Hanisch-Imagn Images

You should absolutely expect the McCarthy trade rumor mill to heat up in 2027 if Murray propels the Vikings to the playoffs and posts 25-40 touchdowns.

Until then, McCarthy-themed trade takes are just silly — unless he demands a ticket out of town. McCarthy requesting a trade would be a whole new ball of wax, but so far this summer, he has claimed that Minnesota is where he wants to be.

Vikings training camp is less than seven weeks away.


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Dustin Baker is a novelist and political scientist. His second novel, The Invaders , is out now. So is … More about Dustin Baker

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WoW Midnight Void Incursions guide (Naigtal and Val)

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One of the new features in WoW Midnight is the Void Incursions in Naigtal and Val. These are new mini zones that are available on a weekly basis, and allow players to challenge themselves, as well as pick up incredible new loot. There’s so much to do in the Midnight expansion, and this is one of the features added in the 12.0.7 update.

This zone is more challenging than the normal Void Assaults, and features a brand new difficulty for the Retail version of WoW, and that’s Heroic World Tier. If you’re looking to farm new gear, fight powerful foes, and explore the world (of Warcraft), here’s what you need to know about Void Incursions.


How to begin Void Incursions in WoW Midnight (how to get to Naigtal and Val)

If you want to kick off Void Incursions, you’ll find it right next to where you begin the Omnium Folio in WoW Midnight, so I recommend at least unlocking that first. Head to the coordinates via TomTom (/way #2393 47.6 51.0), and speak to Riftblade Maella, and complete the quest The Time to Strike by speaking to her.

You can start the Void Incursions with Riftblade Maella. She's the key NPC for this game mode (Image via Blizzard Entertainment || Sportskeeda)You can start the Void Incursions with Riftblade Maella. She's the key NPC for this game mode (Image via Blizzard Entertainment || Sportskeeda)
You can start the Void Incursions with Riftblade Maella. She’s the key NPC for this game mode (Image via Blizzard Entertainment || Sportskeeda)

You will also need to complete a pair of quests, Veterans of the Great Dark and Stalkers of the Stars. These are easy quests, and will unlock a portal that will let you transport yourself to the zones later.

  • Stalkers of the Stars: Speak to the NPCs, ride over the black smoky objects on the ground in the boxed off area.
  • Veterans of the Great Dark: Speak to the NPCs, interact with the Lightveil Tether and walk as far as you can.

After these, complete To the Voidstorm and Beyond!, via the portal to the Voidstorm in Silvermoon City. This will get you closer to Void Incursions in WoW. Next is Through the Mana Rift, which opens the portal.

From here on, you can head to whichever zone is available for the week at this location, or in Silvermoon City with Riftblade Maella. If you need the Voidstorm coordinates, it’s (/way #2405 51.7 71.0). Once inside, and after completing the introductory quests, you can use the Lightforged Beacon to return to Silvermoon or the Voidstorm.


What to do in Naigtal and Val Void Invasions in WoW Midnight

Each week, either Naigtal or Val will be available in WoW Midnight for Void Incursions. At launch, you’ll have access to two difficulties, each with a minimum Item Level you should have before considering them:

You have a few entry points to get into the Void Incursion maps, but at first, you use the Voidstorm (Image via Blizzard Entertainment || Sportskeeda)You have a few entry points to get into the Void Incursion maps, but at first, you use the Voidstorm (Image via Blizzard Entertainment || Sportskeeda)
You have a few entry points to get into the Void Incursion maps, but at first, you use the Voidstorm (Image via Blizzard Entertainment || Sportskeeda)

The Heroic version has enemies with more health, more damage, and additional affixes that you’ll have to deal with. Of course, the Heroic version also has much better rewards (more Field Accolades, 4/6 Warbound Champion gear, Heroic items from World Boss). It’s up to you which version you take part in. Upon arriving for the first time, you’ll also have a few quests to complete to get you acquainted to the zone, so take the time to do these as well.

While you’re in the Void Incursion, you receive Field Accolades for defeating Rares, popping open treasures, events, and World Quests. There are also Weekly Quests to complete, that reward you with valuable caches, so if you’re looking for something else to do, you can find it here.

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If you’re doing content in the Heroic version, there’s also a four-week quest, Knocking Off the Top, which requires you to defeat a Heroic Void Invasion World Boss each week, and loot the Void Commander’s Emblems. Your reward will be a Myth-track cloak, belt or bracers. However, if you don’t do it each week, you can pick up the boss item from the Weekly Quest too, so you don’t fall behind.

There are a few Vendors you can take advantage of, though some require you to complete achievements to make specific purchases (Image via Blizzard Entertainment || Sportskeeda)There are a few Vendors you can take advantage of, though some require you to complete achievements to make specific purchases (Image via Blizzard Entertainment || Sportskeeda)
There are a few Vendors you can take advantage of, though some require you to complete achievements to make specific purchases (Image via Blizzard Entertainment || Sportskeeda)

There are also Umbral Base Camps, where you can find an NPC to sell you mounts, pets, and a wealth of other items. Kifaan sells the mounts/pets/cosmetics/miscellaneous, Fieldsmith Ventem sells Void-themed weapon transmogs and purple/black recolors of gear, Zuronar sells Lightforged weapons and decorations.


All known World Bosses and Rares in Naigtal and Val in WoW

There are quite a few Rares to hunt in both Naigtal and Val on the WoW Void Incursion maps, as well as a World Boss for each zone. However, we only have access to Naigtal, so that’s the only map we can provide at this time.

We’ll update next week with Val, once it opens up, so you will have everything you need. If you have tracking addons like RareScanner, that helps as well. Below you’ll also find all the coordinates necessary. The World Boss will be circled on the image.

Here's the map of Naigtal and its Rares/World Boss (Image via Blizzard Entertainment || Sportskeeda)Here's the map of Naigtal and its Rares/World Boss (Image via Blizzard Entertainment || Sportskeeda)
Here’s the map of Naigtal and its Rares/World Boss (Image via Blizzard Entertainment || Sportskeeda)

Naigtal World Boss and Rares

  • /way #2600 77 70 Nexus-Captain Leth’ir and Adjutant Mertei (World Boss)
  • /way #2600 29 63 Auredar
  • /way #2600 45 52 Broxion (Patrol)
  • /way #2600 77 38 Flickering Swalewing
  • /way #2600 53 50 Indomitable Mk XII (Patrol)
  • /way #2600 38 63 Interminable Uarn (Patrol)
  • /way #2600 65 60 Lomelith (Patrol)
  • /way #2600 57 63 Slaipaan (Patrol)
  • /way #2600 29 18 Warbringer Thal’kuur
  • /way #2600 49 59 Warp Riders (Patrol)
  • /way #2600 70 76 Xi’Grivr

Check out our other WoW guides and features