J.J. McCarthy’s Minnesota Vikings tenure has unraveled faster than most expected. The 10th overall pick in 2024 missed his entire rookie season with a torn meniscus, then started 10 games in 2025 and posted 1,632 yards, 11 touchdowns, and 12 interceptions while battling ankle, concussion, and hand injuries.
After the Vikings signed Kyler Murray and named him the Week 1 starter, McCarthy dropped to backup. He has said he wants to stay in Minnesota, but his depressed trade value opens the door for teams that aren’t obvious QB shoppers.
Here are three unexpected landing spots that could make sense if the Vikings decide to move him.
Houston Texans
C.J. Stroud is the clear franchise quarterback, and Davis Mills has already shown he can win games as a backup. That stability makes Houston an unlikely suitor. Yet McCarthy’s cheap remaining contract years and mobility could appeal as a developmental insurance policy or scout-team weapon.
The Texans would face almost no pressure to play him immediately, giving the 23-year-old time to refine his accuracy and mechanics away from the spotlight. A late-round swap would cost Houston little while adding a former first-round talent who still has physical tools.
Detroit Lions
The Lions are Super Bowl contenders with Jared Goff locked in as the starter. Trading for a struggling young quarterback would seem like a luxury they don’t need. Brad Holmes and Dan Campbell have a track record of identifying and developing talent others overlook, however.
McCarthy could sit, learn an offense that emphasizes timing and decision-making, and serve as inexpensive depth. If Goff’s window eventually closes, Detroit would already own a high-upside option on a rookie-scale deal. The Lions rarely make splashy QB moves, which is exactly why this one would surprise.
Baltimore Ravens
Lamar Jackson remains one of the league’s most dynamic players, and the Ravens typically prioritize complementary pieces around him rather than adding another young passer. McCarthy’s dual-threat skill set and relatively low cost could still intrigue a team that values athleticism at the position.
He would not threaten Jackson’s job, but he could provide a different look in practice and offer insurance if injuries strike. Baltimore’s coaching staff has experience developing mobile quarterbacks, and a change of scenery in a winning culture might help McCarthy regain confidence after a difficult two years.
McCarthy’s value is at its lowest point since the draft. The Vikings may prefer to keep him as Murray’s backup and evaluate later. If they do shop him, these three teams—none of which are in an active quarterback search—could quietly add a former top-10 pick without surrendering significant assets.
For McCarthy, any of them would offer a reset with less immediate pressure than a desperate starter-needy franchise. Whether a deal materializes this preseason or later, his next chapter is likely to come somewhere few currently expect.
