Andrew Buller-Russ
According to the Minnesota Vikings, Kyler Murray and J.J. McCarthy are entrenched in a battle for the starting quarterback job. Yet, by all appearances, the job is Murray’s to lose. Unless he suffers an injury, Murray will be the Vikings’ starting quarterback in Week 1 against the Green Bay Packers.
Thus, what will the Vikings do with McCarthy, the 10th overall pick of the 2024 NFL Draft? Considering the Vikings brought veteran Carson Wentz back and also have second-year pro Max Brosmer, whom they’re high on, McCarthy could be expendable. Plus, there’s always the chance that the former first-round pick demands a trade that lands him in a different situation.
If the Vikings do eventually place McCarthy on the trade market, what type of return could they expect for a player who’s made just 10 starts across two seasons? A team insider recently provided some insight.
According to SKOR North’s Darren “Doogie” Wolfson recent appearance on the Purple Daily podcast, the Vikings will likely have to settle for a late Day 3 draft selection for McCarthy.
“What are you getting in return in a trade for JJ McCarthy? Is it a six? Is it a seven? Can you get a five?”
The Vikings’ front office may not be content taking just a fifth-round pick for a developmental QB who’s still just 23 years old. However, if coach Kevin O’Connell has grown sour on McCarthy’s long-term prospects and/or has fallen in love with the idea of Murray becoming the franchise QB for years to come, then why not take the best offer available?
In other words, what the Vikings do with McCarthy later this fall will be very telling. A trade could mean that they no longer believe in him developing into a star. Yet, it could also be as simple as McCarthy wanting a chance to play elsewhere, and the Vikings granting him that respect, not wanting to get in the way of a young football prospect’s development.
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