As J.J. McCarthy Misses Practice Due to Injury, The Vikings Keep Working Through the Trade Playbook

Earlier in the day, Vikings head coach Kevin O’Connell explained that J.J. McCarthy was going to take the day off. Doing so is meant to ensure the kid can get back to full health prior to the Vikings’ final preseason game.

Truth be told, Minnesota’s intent as it relates to trading McCarthy is a mystery. Many boast strong opinions but very few (if any) know how this is going to play out. What’s also true, however, is that Minnesota is working through the trade playbook by refusing to firmly shutdown a lot of the chatter surrounding the third-year passer who has spent more time in the infirmary than the gridiron.

The Vikings May or May Not Trade J.J. McCarthy

To begin, the Vikings have done the single most important thing when it comes to moving on from McCarthy: finding an upside, enticing replacement.

Adding Kyler Murray means having a new starting quarterback. No longer is that mere speculation or best guesses. Rather, the reality is a certainty so long as health cooperates. Keep in mind that Murray is still only 29, meaning he’s got several years of football ahead of him. Seeing him form a connection with Justin Jefferson would mean that Murray is the man for both today and tomorrow.

The other part of the mix is that Minnesota is seemingly entertaining the possibility of elevating Carson Wentz into that QB2 job.

On Monday, FOX9’s Ahmad Hicks sent the following observation: “Here’s a little bit of J.J. McCarthy from practice today after he sustained an ankle injury in Saturday’s preseason game vs. the Ravens. He didn’t take all the second team reps, but he was on the field and in the mix.”

On Tuesday, ESPN’s Kevin Seifert sent the following observation: “In a relatively brief Vikings practice (80 minutes) today, J.J. McCarthy and Carson Wentz split second-team reps.”

On Wednesday, Kevin O’Connell explained the following: “Just with J.J., we’re going to give him a rest day today just to see if we can kind of put the ankle behind him a little bit. He’s gotten some work, we kind of split the reps yesterday just to not overload him.”

Elsewhere in the same presser, O’Connell explained that Minnesota’s desire is to see McCarthy start the upcoming Broncos game.

If, in theory, Wentz plays noticeably and decisively better in practice and in the upcoming game, can the Vikings go back to McCarthy? Right now, the noise surrounding Minnesota’s situation has been loud. Can Minnesota keep working through all of the questions and speculation?

To my eye, McCarthy’s confidence has waned. He doesn’t lack for talent. Nor, for that matter, does he lack for a work ethic or resources. Despite that nice cocktail — normally, talent and a work ethic combines for good football — the Vikings haven’t seen the growth that everybody has desired.

Why is that the case? Confidence, perhaps.

Later in the same presser, O’Connell sidestepped a question about who was going to be the QB2 for the Week 1 Green Bay game. “I think to me,” O’Connell began, “it’s making an assessment on what we think is best for the team.” Roughly two years ago, O’Connell proclaimed McCarthy the franchise passer; at present, O’Connell won’t definitively commit to him as the QB2.

Seeing current on-field competence function as the sole criteria could reasonably involve Wentz being the top backup. In that scenario, the Vikings would be wise to move on.

J.J. McCarthy, 23, would likely demand a Day 3 pick(s) on the NFL’s trade market.

Senior Editor for Vikings Territory & PurplePTSD . Twitter & Bluesky: @VikingsGazette. Email: k.joudry[at]vikingsterritory[dot]com. Canadian. Jude 1:24-25.