Jason Burgos
A new Minnesota Vikings NFL Draft report just added more fuel to the idea that the team could move on from 2024 first-round pick JJ McCarthy this offseason.
After an underwhelming performance during his sophomore season in Minnesota, not long after the 2025 campaign came to a close, the speculation grew that McCarthy was no longer a sure thing to be the team’s starter next season.
The early speculation was that the team would bring in a veteran to compete with McCarthy for the QB1 spot. However, that changed when the Vikings made a splash in free agency by signing former Arizona Cardinals two-time Pro Bowler Kyler Murray this week. While the team hasn’t officially named him as their new QB1, only a serious injury would derail that eventuality.
The move has led to a discussion about McCarthy’s future in Minnesota, and whether trading him to a QB-needy team would be a possibility. According to The Athletic’s Alec Lewis, the possibility “cannot be ruled out.”
“Two factors matter in the overall calculus: How perturbed are McCarthy and his camp by the Murray signing? And what would other teams offer?” Lewis wrote.
Could Haynes Kings be Vikings replacement for JJ McCarthy?
Well, this week, Minnesota was heavily scouting a potential prospect that could replace McCarthy next season. According to Essentially Sports’ Tony Pauline, team officials were in Georgia this week to scout Georgia Tech QB Haynes King. Furthermore, they were among the four teams that also had sit-downs with the quarterback this week.
“King has been lauded for his leadership and toughness by scouts,” Pauline wrote.
The three-year starter had, arguably, his best season in college football. He threw for 2,951 yards and 14 touchdowns to six interceptions while hitting on 69.8% of his passes. However, he was one of the best dual-threat QBs in the country last season as he ran 185 times for just under 1,000 yards and 15 TDs on the ground in 2025.
