Chargers predicted to swing bold J.J. McCarthy trade that would make perfect sense

The Los Angeles Chargers have already found their franchise quarterback with Justin Herbert. There really isn't a need to go investing into the QB position unless it's for a backup.

In most cases, a veteran journeyman like Trey Lance is more than good enough. If Herbert goes down, the season is likely over anyway. But that doesn't mean the Chargers shouldn't still look for better QBs.

That's what Kristopher Knox of Bleacher Report is predicting the Chargers will do, as he predicts they'll trade for Minnesota Vikings QB J.J. McCarthy in a very bold trade that actually makes perfect sense.

Chargers predicted to trade for J.J. McCarthy in move that'd make sense

"Chargers get: QB J.J. McCarthy. Vikings get: 2028 5th-round pick," Knox predicts. "While this isn't a trade that would impact the starting lineup of either the Vikings or the Chargers, it would bring an end to the McCarthy experiment in Minnesota."

Trading for McCarthy after his lost rookie season due to an injury and his very poor 2025 season as the Vikings' starter would not make a lot of sense. At least, for most teams.

The Chargers are different. McCarthy wouldn't sniff the starting lineup for the Chargers, likely even if Herbert went down with an injury. He's purely a backup in this hypothetical scenario.

But for McCarthy and the Chargers, this is about as good a landing spot as he could ask for to revive his NFL career. He's still 23 years old, and the former Michigan quarterback would reunite with Jim Harbaugh after their time in Michigan together.

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Besides, McCarthy had only 10 games in the NFL in his two seasons, and he is under contract on his rookie deal for the 2026 and 2027 NFL seasons.

The Chargers are one of the few teams with Harbaugh, Mike McDaniel, and a solid starter and backup ahead of McCarthy that'd make perfect sense for McCarthy in a trade.

A 2028 fifth-round pick is a little expensive for how bad McCarthy has looked at times, but to take a flyer on a cheap, young, and likely still talented QB is worth the chance.

This prediction from Knox would make perfect sense and give the Chargers the high-upside developmental QB they could benefit from adding at quite a cheap cost.

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