NFL Rumors on J.J. McCarthy's Vikings Future, Team Linked to 'Established' QB Options

Amid a disappointing first season as the Minnesota Vikings No. 1 quarterback, J.J. McCarthy will not be guaranteed the starting job in 2026.

Per The Athletic's Dianna Russini, the Vikings intend to look at "established" options either via trade or free agency to add competition for McCarthy.

ESPN's Kevin Seifert added that Minnesota is interested in "adding a starting-caliber veteran" to its quarterback room.

Seifert noted the Vikings had a plan in place for Daniel Jones to be a "starting-caliber hedge" for McCarthy on the roster this season that fell apart because they "misread Jones' level of interest in their scheme and culture."

Jones finished the 2024 season in Minnesota after being released by the New York Giants.

According to an October report from The Athletic's Michael Silver, Jones turned down a "slightly bigger offer" and more guaranteed money from the Vikings to sign with the Indianapolis Colts in the offseason.

There is a chance the Vikings could go back to Jones since he is set to become a free agent and his value may have been hurt after suffering a torn Achilles in a Week 14 loss to the Jacksonville Jaguars.

Free agency for quarterbacks is not usually a strong market, and that is the case going into this offseason. Even coming off a major injury, Jones is the best of a group that includes Aaron Rodgers, Russell Wilson, Marcus Mariota and Joe Flacco.

The trade market is tough because most of the top choices are signed to expensive contracts, like Kyler Murray and Tua Tagovailoa. It's possible either or both of them could be released, but the cap ramifications for their current clubs would be significant.

Tagovailoa, in particular, is difficult to release because he would count $99.2 million against the cap for the Miami Dolphins. They can spread that over two years with a post-June 1 designation, but the Dolphins are already $5.3 million over the projected 2026 cap.

Mac Jones might be the best trade candidate because his 2026 cap hit is only $3.98 million, but it would likely cost a lot for the San Francisco 49ers to move him given how important he was when Brock Purdy missed time due to an injury.

Seifert also suggested the Vikings would also likely be connected to someone like Lamar Jackson or Joe Burrow in a scenario where either quarterback became available, though it's unclear if that's going to happen.

McCarthy, the No. 10 pick in the 2024 draft, has had a rough debut season after missing his entire rookie year due to a knee injury. He has thrown for 1,450 yards, 11 touchdowns and 12 interceptions in nine starts.

There is also a durability concern for McCarthy going forward since he has already missed 24 out of a possible 32 games entering Sunday's season finale against the Green Bay Packers.

Even with the quarterback issues throughout this season, the Vikings have a chance to finish with a winning record if they beat Green Bay. They are entering Week 18 on a four-game winning streak to get back to .500 (8-8).