The 3 Teams to Monitor if J.J. McCarthy Gets Put Onto Trade Market

J.J. McCarthy isn’t on the trade market. Unless something unusual happens, that’ll remain the case for the remainder of 2026 and into 2027.

Afterwards, all bets are off.

The Vikings intend to have a stuffed-full quarterback room, but that doesn’t mean teams won’t be calling. After all, McCarthy has been a disappointment in Minnesota and the GM that pulled off the pick is gone. Connecting the dots isn’t difficult. Which teams are realistic fits for Mr. McCarthy? Consider a trio that look like reasonable bets to have some degree of interest.

J.J. McCarthy and The Trade Market

Trade Destination No. 1 — San Francisco 49ers

Kyle Shanahan would figure it out. He’s a terrific coach, somebody who has proven far more than Kevin O’Connell.

Going to San Francisco would mean being the QB3 for the upcoming season behind Brock Purdy and Mac Jones. Soaking up wisdom from more accomplished veterans away from the spotlight would be a nice outcome. Next year, Jones likely lands somewhere to battle for a top job as McCarthy can then burn off the final season of his rookie deal as the main backup.

Working under Shanahan would do wonders for the kid. San Francisco knows how to run.

Trade Destination No. 2 — New York Jets

An odd reality is that the Jets and Vikings have commonly coveted the same passers. If memory serves, New York opted to trade for Geno Smith due to concerns about Minnesota scooping him up. Likewise, there was some chatter about Carson Wentz being a possible depth option for the Jets prior to returning to the Vikings.

Journeying back in time would mean uplifting the Brett Favre situation. Aaron Rodgers went to the Jets but wanted the Vikings (like Favre). Kirk Cousins opted for Minnesota in the 2018 free agency period with the Jets being the other suitor (he’s now getting in fights in Sin City). Sam Darnold was a Jets draft pick who would do well for the Vikings.

Could J.J. McCarthy be the next quarterback connection?

Trade Destination No. 3 — The Los Angeles Chargers

The Vikings were very close to hiring Jim Harbaugh. Instead, the outspoken coach went back to the NCAA level and won a National Championship with J.J. McCarthy

A reunion does make sense.

Nobody is going to displace Justin Herbert as the QB1 in Tinseltown. McCarthy could go to LA to learn and grow. Get his body right, continue fixing his mechanics, and let Harbaugh put confidence back into him. In a couple of seasons, go to free agency as a talented mid-20s QB who can hopefully get his career going again. Maybe he could mirror what Malik Willis did with Green Bay.

J.J. McCarthy is 23 and coming off some up-and-down work at training camp.

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

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