Things are getting spicy. The rumor mill’s got rookie QB J.J. McCarthy as the latest trade bait, but don’t think the Vikings are just letting it slide. They’re playing chess, not checkers.
The buzz around McCarthy’s future has us all on edge, trying to figure out if the young QB is about to be dealt or if the team’s got something else up its sleeve.
Vikings’ Stance on J.J. McCarthy Sparks Debate
The Vikings are stirring the pot with their stance on McCarthy, leaving fans fired up and speculating.
Despite rumors swirling about McCarthy possibly being available for trade, NFL insider Ben Goessling has made it clear: “It’s very unlikely that the #Vikings trade away quarterback JJ McCarthy. They are not going to move a guy that they drafted, that they moved up to get, that Kevin O’Connell said is a franchise QB. It’s not going to happen.”
But that hasn’t stopped fans from weighing in.
“Gotta drive his price up, good work coach,” one fan quipped, echoing the belief that the Vikings might just be playing a game of strategy.
Gotta drive his price up, good work coach
— Evan (@brofessor23) January 4, 2025
“Let’s see what happens in the playoffs if Vikings win n go far that could change,” another fan added, pointing out that the QB’s role could evolve depending on how the postseason plays out.
Lets see what happens in the playoffs if Vikings win n go far that could change
— Acke Sports Talk (@AckeSportsTalk) January 4, 2025
Some fans see McCarthy as the Vikings’ secret weapon, regardless of what happens with Sam Darnold, who’s had a career-best season.
“There’s no reason to trade JJ away. He’s a great backup plan in case Darnold doesn’t work out, or he can eventually be the successor to Darnold,” one fan argued.
There's no reason to trade JJ away. He's a great backup plan in case Darnold doesn't work out, or he can eventually be the successor to Darnold.
— Vick3 (@ImYourHostVick3) January 4, 2025
But not everyone is convinced.
“It would take a massive set of balls to throw them on the table and get rid of a guy that’s about to throw for 4300+ yards, 35+ TDs, and leads your team to a 14+ win season,” noted another fan, stressing McCarthy’s potential.
As the debate rages, Shannon Sharpe also voiced concern, especially with Darnold’s rising stock.
Shannon Sharpe Calls Out Vikings’ Draft Move
The Vikings’ QB drama just hit a new level, and Sharpe isn’t afraid to add on to it. After McCarthy’s knee injury opened the door for Darnold, he’s been on fire, leading the Vikings to a scorching 14-2 record. But Sharpe’s calling out the Vikings for their “questionable” draft move.
“If you thought Sam Darnold was that [good], why would you draft J.J. McCarthy?” Sharpe said on his Nightcap show. “He has surprised… I was surprised because they took him and still drafted a quarterback with a top-10 pick… if you got a car, I’m not gonna go out and buy a new car if I’m convinced that the used car I’ve got can get me from point A to B in a timely manner consistently.”
With Darnold crushing it, Sharpe’s got a point — it’s not certain if the Vikings wasted a pick on McCarthy, or if it’s all part of the long game.