Here is the trade value of Minnesota Vikings quarterback J.J. McCarthy
· Yahoo Sports
During the NFL’s first week of the new league year, teams made several major moves. From blockbuster contracts to bargain trades, front offices across the league reshaped their 2026 rosters.
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The Minnesota Vikings stood out among them. They made several difficult roster cuts and aggressively addressed the quarterback position.
Most notably, the Vikings signed Pro Bowl quarterback Kyler Murray after the Arizona Cardinals released him. That move not only removed one of the top quarterbacks from free agency—it also pushed another onto the trade market.
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The Vikings’ decision to draft J.J. McCarthy has quickly unraveled. A season-ending knee injury derailed his rookie year, but the team still handed him control of a high-functioning offense previously led by Sam Darnold.
Jan 4, 2026; Minneapolis, Minnesota, USA; Minnesota Vikings quarterback J.J. McCarthy (9) hands the ball off to Minnesota Vikings running back Jordan Mason (27) against the Green Bay Packers during the first quarter at U.S. Bank Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Jeffrey Becker-Imagn Images
Instead of leading a playoff push, McCarthy struggled. The offense stalled, injuries continued to pile up, and his performance fell short. He surpassed 200 passing yards in just two games all season, while his limitations as a passer showed up week after week.
Head coach Kevin O’Connell recognized the downward trend and reportedly pushed for the move to acquire Murray. Now, trade speculation surrounds the former Michigan quarterback.
So what is McCarthy’s value? Right now, not much.
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In recent years, teams have traded more talented—yet still raw—first-round quarterbacks for minimal returns. Justin Fields, Trey Lance, and Mac Jones each netted no better than a fourth-round pick. McCarthy hasn’t shown the same level of upside.
Jan 4, 2026; Minneapolis, Minnesota, USA; Minnesota Vikings quarterback J.J. McCarthy (9) throws a pass against the Green Bay Packers during the second quarter at U.S. Bank Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Matt Blewett-Imagn ImagesHe brings mobility, but not at a high level. He flashes accuracy, but lacks consistency. While he can make NFL-level throws, he hasn’t proven he can do so reliably.
If Fields and Lance set the market at a fourth-round return, that likely represents McCarthy’s ceiling. His floor could dip as low as the sixth-round value tied to Jones’ 2024 trade.
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The verdict: Vikings fans should expect, at best, a fourth-round pick in exchange for McCarthy and a late-round pick.
Minnesota Vikings quarterback J.J. McCarthy (9) throws the ball during a game against New York Giants at MetLife Stadium, Dec 21, 2025, East Rutherford, NJ, USA
More realistically, a fifth-round pick feels like the outcome.
There’s a reason O’Connell preferred to keep Darnold in 2025. Instead, Darnold went on to win a Super Bowl in Seattle—and McCarthy now finds himself on the trade block.
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