The Minnesota Vikings have settled their quarterback battle, with Kyler Murray earning the starting job over J.J. McCarthy.
Murray’s marginally superior skill set proved too much for McCarthy to overcome, which means McCarthy will have to settle for a backup role and find himself the center of trade speculation for the next few weeks as other teams assess their own quarterback rooms.
Former NFL Scout Names 4 Possible Suitors For J.J. McCarthy
McCarthy’s future with the Vikings has been up in the air ever since the team decided to sign Murray. The move led many to believe McCarthy would face a huge battle in competing for the starting quarterback job.
McCarthy needed to show major development throughout the offseason and training camp to make a legitimate push, but many felt his progress was modest at most.
Coach Kevin O’Connell said he “absolutely” believes McCarthy remains part of the Vikings’ long-term plans, but the challenge is that another opportunity to start may not come unless Murray suffers an injury.
He now finds himself waiting at a stage when most former first-round quarterbacks are expected to establish themselves. With Carson Wentz and Max Brosmer also on the roster, the Vikings could eventually see McCarthy as a valuable trade asset.
PREDICT THE NFL SEASON: PFN’s FREE NFL Playoff Predictor
Former NFL scout John Middlekauff discussed that possibility on Tuesday during his “3 and Out” podcast, identifying the Los Angeles Chargers as one logical destination for the former first-round pick.
“The first spot I think everyone thinks about when it comes to him is the Chargers and Jim Harbaugh,” Middlekauff said. “He clearly talked him out of the draft. He won a National Championship with him. Could they get J.J. McCarthy for a late-round pick and try to rehab his value?”
“I think JJ McCarthy is traded over the course of the next three weeks.”@JohnMiddlekauff breaks down JJ McCarthy’s top trade destinations after the Minnesota Vikings named Kyler Murray QB1. pic.twitter.com/APTQHPSNpI
— 3 & OUT with John Middlekauff (@3andout_pod) August 12, 2026
Justin Herbert is firmly established as the Chargers’ franchise quarterback, but McCarthy could benefit from reuniting with Harbaugh, who coached him at Michigan during their championship run. While he will begin as Herbert’s backup, the familiarity with Harbaugh’s system could help McCarthy rebuild his confidence and continue his development.
Middlekauff also mentioned the Detroit Lions as another possible landing spot.
“I’ve been floored by the job that Brad Holmes and Dan Campbell have done in Detroit. Now, trading within the division can be a little tricky, but there’s a team that saw Teddy Bridgewater retire. They had to sign Josh Dobbs because their backup quarterback is not ideal.”
Middlekauff also thinks Jerry Jones’ Cowboys can be a suitor for McCarthy, while also floating the Houston Texans’ name in the discussion.
“If I’m a betting man right now, J.J. McCarthy is traded over the course of the next three weeks,” Middlekauff added. “Personally, I’d be trying to move him now.”
McCarthy missed his entire 2024 rookie season because of injury before appearing in 10 games the following year. He finished last season with 11 touchdown passes and 12 interceptions while earning a 67.0 grade in PFN’s QB Impact rankings, placing him 34th among qualifying QBs.
