Vikings predicted to ditch J.J. McCarthy, trade for $46 million former No. 1 overall pick

The Minnesota Vikings have an uncertain offseason ahead, primarily due to their quarterback situation.

J.J. McCarthy had an unimpressive 2025 season, as he continued to battle injuries and was below average even when on the field.

Minnesota is expected to bring in some type of veteran competition for McCarthy this offseason, but Bleacher Report's Moe Moton predicts the Vikings will replace McCarthy by trading for Arizona Cardinals quarterback Kyler Murray.

Moton adds his prediction of Minnesota and Arizona doing a swap of McCarthy and Murray:

"This would represent the other end of the trade between the Arizona Cardinals and the Vikings. Kyler Murray lands in Minnesota, where he can build a rapport with two-time All-Pro Justin Jefferson. The two could become a high-level tandem that consistently puts up big numbers through the air."

The Vikings completely giving up on McCarthy after just 10 starts would be bold, but it isn't out of the question, as ESPN's Kevin Seifert believes all bets are off the table for Minnesota's starting quarterback spot after the firing of Kwesi Adofo-Mensah as general manager.

If the Vikings are set on moving on from McCarthy, trading for Murray is an avenue they could go down.

Murray played just five games in 2025 due to a foot injury, but when on the field, the 2019 No. 1 overall pick can be an electric starter and a dynamic signal-caller when at his best.

The Cardinals will look to cut ties with Murray this offseason, either through a trade or he could hit the market as a free agent if Arizona releases him.

Murray possesses a ton of talent, but his $230 million contract could scare away the Vikings from making a deal. Minnesota is already $40 million under the cap, and taking on Murray's deal would be risky.

Though Murray hasn't lived up to expectations as a top pick, there's no denying his skillset and experience as a dual-threat starting quarterback. If the Vikings want to make a blockbuster move to revamp the quarterback group, acquiring Murray from Arizona and ditching McCarthy would be a solid course of action, though it does come with some risk.

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