The Minnesota Vikings are in an interesting spot. Last season, no one saw them as one of the top teams in the AFC. But thanks to an excellent coaching job by eventual 2024 Coach of the Year winner Kevin O’Connell and the resurgence of Sam Darnold, the team won 14 games.
However, Darnold is headed to the Seattle Seahawks on a lucrative free-agent deal, and many believe the Vikings will finally give J.J. McCarthy the starting job. Yet, throughout the offseason, rumors of Aaron Rodgers completing the “Brett Favre arc” have made the rounds.
With both options seemingly in place, one analyst and media member has thrown out a potential third route that almost no one has considered.
Minnesota Vikings Trade J.J. McCarthy for Justin Herbert?
Since entering the league, Justin Herbert has had plenty of hype around him. A standout collegiate career set the stage for an incredible rookie season for the Oregon alum. But in five years with the Los Angeles Chargers, the team has made just two playoff appearances.
With both trips ending in demoralizing Wild-Card Round losses, concerns have been raised about his ceiling. And with the debate around the Vikings’ quarterback situation continuing throughout free agency, Nick Wright has an answer.
A fixture on FS1 and host of “First Things First,” Wright is known for his bold takes. But this one might be among his most extreme — even he admitted how unlikely it is.
“Put this in the would-be super interesting and fun bucket, even if I don’t think it’s realistic.”
The idea?
“If the Vikings are this squeamish about J.J. McCarthy that they wanna get another scorpion and the frog relationship with Aaron Rodgers, then they should quietly call the Chargers.”
This idea is going in @getnickwright’s super interesting and fun bucket, even though it’s not realistic:
“If the Vikings are this squeamish about J.J. McCarthy… call the Chargers and see if J.J. + a first-round pick could get you Justin Herbert.” 👀 pic.twitter.com/gwaJCm3o4R
— First Things First (@FTFonFS1) March 17, 2025
It wouldn’t just be a straight-up trade that could tempt Los Angeles.
“This guy who you [Jim Harbaugh] said was the best quarterback you ever coached, the best quarterback in your draft, we’ll give you him and our first-round pick. And we’ll take Justin Herbert from you.”
While it would reunite Harbaugh with McCarthy, it would also give O’Connell the quarterback he’s been looking for. Last year, Herbert ranked No. 14 among all qualified players in PFSN’s QB+ metric, in what was a less-than-perfect season for him.
Leading the Chargers to an 11-6 finish, Herbert threw for 3,870 yards and 23 touchdowns passes, with just three interceptions. He added 306 rushing yards and two rushing touchdowns.
With Minnesota’s weapons and Herbert’s arm talent, it could be a perfect match.