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Even while navigating a change in general managers, the Minnesota Vikings managed to reinforce their quarterback room. The idea wasn’t to take J.J. McCarthy out of the picture, but rather to further push him to help become the best QB he could be. Considering they used the 10th overall pick on him in the first round of the 2024 NFL Draft, the Vikings must think he can be pretty good.
Yet, that didn’t prevent them from adding who many project as the new starter in Minnesota, a two-time Pro Bowl QB once selected first overall, in Kyler Murray. Signed for just $1.3 million, Murray surely had opportunities to go elsewhere, but he chose Kevin O’Connell and Justin Jefferson instead. Both QBs will be given a chance to win the starting job, but what happens when the QB2 is announced? Could Murray or McCarthy want a trade?
Related: Minnesota Vikings Legend Reveals J.J. McCarthy Wasn’t Who Kevin O’Connell Wanted
Vikings Reporter Suggests New Trade Value for McCarthy
Imagine a scenario where Murray runs away with the Vikings’ starting QB job. Ok, then imagine Murray has an excellent start, even looking like a fringe MVP candidate. Could McCarthy go to his agent and request a trade? It’s not unreasonable.
If so, what might the Vikings be able to fetch for a 23-year-old QB who was a first-round pick just two years ago? Multiple accounts suggest McCarthy has improved, but perhaps not enough to leapfrog a former Pro Bowler. He definitely has some trade value, which could fluctuate during the preseason, but how much is he worth?
According to longtime Pioneer Press reporter Charley Walters via his new spinoff Substack ‘Don’t Print That’, McCarthy “could be worth a fourth-round pick.”
A fourth-round pick seems about fair for a player who’s made just 10 starts through two seasons. Yet, would that be enough for the Vikings to move on from a QB who they may still believe has star upside?
There’s no need for the Vikings to do anything with McCarthy but continue to help him develop. He still has two more years left on his rookie contract, and if he shows serious growth this year, they can tack on an additional season via a fifth-year team option.
Of course, when emotions and player/coach relationships get involved, there’s always the chance that O’Connell would do a young QB like McCarthy a favor. If he and his agent find an opportunity that they feel offers more short- and/or long-term upside, a future trade demand can’t be ruled out. And O’Connell just might be willing to help him facilitate such a deal rather than potentially stunt his growth by staying sidelined.
For the Vikings, Murray is only signed through this season, so having McCarthy around for at least another two years is a great security blanket.
Unless they’re just ready to move on and start evaluating other options instead, then taking whatever they can get via trade can’t be ruled out either. No one knows what the Vikings, led by new general manager Nolan Teasley, are thinking. A stance they may have today could change by the end of training camp; that’s why they compete.
Related: Minnesota Vikings Remain High on 25-Year-Old Quarterback After Rough Debut Season
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