A prominent sports talk show personality has floated the idea of the Minnesota Vikings trading quarterback J.J. McCarthy in the wake of the team’s decision to name Kyler Murray as its starter for the 2026 season.
Chris Brockman, appearing on “The Rich Eisen Show,” argued that Minnesota should explore moving the former first-round pick for draft compensation.
“Go get a third-round pick for [J.J. McCarthy] from Pittsburgh, or any of these other teams that have older quarterbacks near the end of the line,” Brockman said.
The comments, which circulated widely after being shared by NFL on ESPN, come days after Vikings coach Kevin O’Connell officially selected Murray to open the season under center. McCarthy, selected 10th overall in the 2024 NFL Draft out of Michigan, had competed with the veteran throughout training camp.
McCarthy’s NFL career has been marked by limited opportunity and mixed results. He missed his entire rookie season after suffering a knee injury. In 2025, he made 10 starts and completed 140 of 243 passes for 1,632 yards with 11 touchdowns and 12 interceptions. He also added 181 rushing yards and four scores on the ground.
Those numbers left Minnesota searching for stability at the position. The Vikings signed Murray to a one-year contract worth $1.3 million in the offseason after the Arizona Cardinals released him, with Arizona remaining responsible for the bulk of his previous salary. Murray’s comfort in the offense ultimately swayed the coaching staff.
McCarthy has publicly expressed a desire to remain with the only NFL organization he has known.
“This is the place I want to be,” he told reporters. “And I love every single person in this building. I love the state. I love the fanbase. And I’m going to continue to just do whatever I can for this team and this organization.”
He also acknowledged the competitive nature of the position.
“Obviously, every competitor wants to play,” McCarthy said. “But moving forward, it’s just about continuing to work hard and just staying ready for when my number’s called.”
Brockman’s suggestion specifically mentioned the Pittsburgh Steelers as a potential landing spot. Pittsburgh enters the 2026 season with Aaron Rodgers as its starter in what the future Hall of Famer has indicated will be his final campaign. The Steelers also roster third-round rookie Drew Allar, sixth-round pick Will Howard from the previous draft, and veteran Mason Rudolph.
Other teams with aging signal-callers could theoretically show interest in a young quarterback still under a rookie contract. McCarthy is signed through the 2028 season, and the Vikings have already paid a significant portion of his four-year, $21.85 million deal.
Analysts have noted the limited market value for a player who has yet to establish himself as a reliable starter. Previous high-profile quarterback trades, such as the deal that sent Trey Lance to Dallas for a fourth-round selection, offer recent precedent for the type of return Minnesota might receive.
O’Connell has maintained that McCarthy’s development is far from complete. The coach has emphasized the 23-year-old’s limited sample size of only 10 career starts and has pledged continued support for his growth within the organization.
Whether the Vikings ultimately explore trade options remains unclear. Roster decisions ahead of the regular season and potential injury developments around the league could still shape McCarthy’s immediate future. For now, he is projected to serve as a backup behind Murray, with Carson Wentz also on the depth chart.
The discussion around McCarthy underscores the high stakes of first-round quarterback investments. Minnesota traded up to secure him in 2024, surrendering additional draft capital in the process. Two years later, the organization is navigating the reality that its long-term plans at the position have shifted, at least for the short term.
Brockman’s call for a third-round return reflects a pragmatic view held by some observers: that capitalizing on remaining value now could benefit a roster already positioned to compete in the NFC North. Others argue patience remains the wiser course given McCarthy’s age and the relatively low cost of retaining him.
As the preseason continues, the Vikings will evaluate all options while McCarthy prepares for a supporting role. The coming weeks will determine whether Brockman’s proposal gains any traction among front-office decision-makers.
