JJ McCarthy has missed 91% of the possible 23 games in his short NFL career due to injuries. He hasn’t been given much of a chance on the field given all of his ailments, but there are still some who believe that the Minnesota Vikings should give up on him all together.
Could The Vikings Consider Trading JJ McCarthy?
Would the team consider trading their young quarterback before the upcoming trade deadline?
McCarthy started off his career in one of the worst possible ways. He was on track to become the team’s starting signal caller after being picked 10th overall in 2024, but tore his meniscus in his right knee. He became the first QB ever selected in the first round to miss his entire rookie season due to injury.
The Vikings were originally hoping J.J. McCarthy would “progress faster” injury wise and didn’t. @DMRussini also explains the issue with pain in the front of his foot while also noting it’s very unlikely he plays Thursday.
Russini doesn’t elaborate much on this… but at the… pic.twitter.com/kVtQWgCg1b
— The Purple Persuasion (@TPPSkol) October 21, 2025
Despite the career resurgence by Sam Darnold that resulted in a 14-3 record, the Vikings decided to stick with McCarthy’s development. They let Darnold walk in free agency, and handed the keys to the offense off to the young man out of Michigan.
He lasted just two games. His late-game heroics in a Week 1 win over the Chicago Bears were promising, but he completed just 11 of 21 passes and threw two interceptions the following week in an ugly loss to the Atlanta Falcons. In that Week 2 contest, McCarthy injured his ankle and has been missing games ever since.
With backup QB Carson Wentz playing well enough to keep the team afloat, there is one prominent voice that believes Minnesota should consider cutting ties with JJ McCarthy.
Local Writer Posts Potential Trade Package On Social Media
In a recent tweet, Phil Mackey of SKOR North posed a question regarding the quarterback situation. He started off by saying that he still believes in McCarthy as the starter, but then asked followers if they’d accept a 2nd and 3rd round pick in return for the young pass thrower. Mackey cites the persistent injuries as the basis of the question.
If you’re selling JJ McCarthy stock, I’ll buy it. I’m still in.
BUT… it’s been 18 months — 23 possible regular season or postseason games — and he has only been physically available for *two* of them…
So here’s my question…
If a team called and offered you 2nd + 3rd round…
— Phil Mackey 🎙 (@PhilMackey) October 16, 2025
It is highly unlikely that the Vikings would even consider something of the sort. Head coach Kevin O’Connell prides himself in quarterback development, and we simply haven’t seen enough of JJ McCarthy to make such a drastic call on his future. The team would essentially be banking on Wentz having a Darnold-like career pivot, which is certainly not a sustainable model if they hope to be successful.
The team was hoping that McCarthy would be ready for Week 7, but Wentz got the start for the fourth straight game. The Vikings have a quick turnaround for Week 8, as they are scheduled to take on the Los Angeles Chargers this Thursday night. McCarthy’s health status has not yet been determined.
