Vikings Rumors Gain Steam on a J.J. McCarthy Trade, Derek Carr, a New CB

The Super Bowl is in the rearview, and truth be told, the Minnesota Vikings are glad because the general population can move on from the skewering unleashed over the Sam Darnold fallout. But there’s a whole new batch of rumors, as the offseason approaches Week No. 7.

Three Vikings rumor threads are circulating: McCarthy trade buzz, Carr’s status, and a Flores-linked cornerback target.

Per the weekend routine, we’ve got all the Vikings-themed rumor hot and ready.

Three Threads Driving the Vikings Rumor Mill

It’s the Purple Rumor Mill for Saturday, February 14th — Valentine’s Day.

Rumor: The Vikings could trade J.J. McCarthy to the Arizona Cardinals in a deal for Kyler Murray.

At the top of his quarterback carousel predictions list, Bleacher Report‘s Moton floated McCarthy and Kirk Cousins to Arizona, writing, “The Arizona Cardinals could turn over their quarterback room under new head coach Mike LaFleur. According to NFL Network’s Ian Rapoport, the team is ‘likely’ to move on from Kyler Murray before his guaranteed money raises the cost to keep him.”

“The Cardinals should call the Minnesota Vikings about a signal-caller swap to dump Murray’s contract and take on J.J. McCarthy’s rookie deal. The third-year quarterback’s contract would cost only about $6 million against the cap. In addition, Arizona can add Kirk Cousins to replace Jacoby Brissett, who may not fit into the new coaching staff’s plans.”

McCarthy would link up with Arizona’s new offensive coordinator, Nathaniel Hackett, who previously coordinated MVP-caliber units in Green Bay with Aaron Rodgers.

Moton continued, “Because of the perceived gap between Fernando Mendoza and the other quarterback prospects in the 2026 draft class, the Cardinals are unlikely to add a signal-caller with the No. 3 pick. Instead, they can develop McCarthy, who’s only 23, and have him battle Cousins for the lead job.”

“If Arizona doesn’t think the former is ready to play, the latter can run the offense as the unquestioned starter for at least a year. In this scenario, LaFleur would have an experienced quarterback under center while working on a high-upside developmental player who showed flashes in the previous season.”

That setup would basically create Vikings of the AFC West, which will turn Vikings fans’ heads.

Rumor: Derek Carr, considering unretirement, is an option for Minnesota.

Carr has surfaced in the quarterback carousel this offseason after a season-long retirement. NFL.com reported Monday, “As quarterback injuries mounted this season and into the playoffs, teams conducted due diligence on Carr, trying to gather information as to whether the former Saints franchise passer would consider coming out of retirement, sources tell The Insiders.”

“The Bengals, for instance, contacted Carr after Joe Burrow went down with his turf toe injury. That work continues, and an offseason of quarterback uncertainty — with limited options in free agency, trades and the draft — makes Carr a possible solution in the right situation.”

Carr started 10 games for the 2024 Saints, posted a 15-touchdown to 5-interception split, and New Orleans went 5-5 in those outings.

NFL.com added, “The Saints still hold Carr’s rights, though Tyler Shough’s impressive rookie season, the amicable end to Carr’s time in New Orleans and the way the sides worked through any salary-cap issues add up to his tolled contract being an unlikely hurdle in the process.”

“The Saints could ask for compensation in a trade, though the price surely wouldn’t be an unreasonable ask for a player who has no future in New Orleans.”

There aren’t many good teams that need quarterbacks this offseason, rocketing Carr’s name into the Vikings’ orbit if the unretirement comes to fruition.

Rumor: Brian Flores and Co. could sign Kansas City Chiefs CB Jaylen Watson in free agency.

Ryan Wilson jumped on CBS Sports airwaves this week and mapped out preferred landing spots for several of the league’s top free agents.

On Watson, he said, “I love the idea of Brian Flores getting his hands on Jaylen Watson in Minnesota. There will be competition, and that will only drive his price up.”

Kansas City selected Watson in the 7th Round of the 2022 draft, and he’s developed into one of the better late-round wins from that class. Cap space, however, remains tight in Kansas City, which could complicate efforts to secure him on a second contract.

Watson would fit in nicely with the Vikings, though many expect the club to use the 1st Round of the draft on a corner rather than free agency.

Here’s Watson’s Pro Football Focus resume:

2025: 74.1
2024: 69.6
2023: 68.5
2022: 61.2

Sportrac expects Watson’s next contract to pay him around $13 million per season. It’s unclear if Minnesota can afford that. Stay tuned.