Vikings predicted to trade for $40 million quarterback 'to push J.J. McCarthy'

One of the top priorities for the Minnesota Vikings this offseason is signing a veteran quarterback behind J.J. McCarthy.

There are a few reasons the Vikings need to do so, with the most important being that the jury is still out on McCarthy.

Minnesota needs someone who can step in and provide competition for the young signal-caller while also offering both steady and winning quarterback play if the Michigan product struggles and gets benched.

Injury is also a concern with McCarthy, who missed all of his rookie season with a knee injury and then missed seven games in 2025.

The Vikings had Carson Wentz behind McCarthy this past season, but the veteran is set to hit free agency and there hasn't been any indication Minnesota is interested in bringing him back.

One analyst, K. Joudry of PurplePTSD, predicts the Vikings will acquire Justin Fields from the New York Jets to "push J.J. McCarthy."

"In Minnesota, Mr. Fields would be leaned on to push J.J. McCarthy. The Vikings want the No. 10 pick from 2024 to win the job but can no longer assume that the Michigan man will become a franchise passer," Joudry wrote.

Fields was a total bust with the Jets in 2025 after signing a two-year, $40 million contract and now the expectation is the two sides will part ways in some form or fashion.

If the Vikings want a veteran backup who is unlikely to beat out McCarthy, Fields is the right man for the job.

While he has no doubt shown flashes during his career, Fields has not cemented himself as a viable starting quarterback in the NFL.

He operated as one of the worst quarterbacks in the league with the Jets in 2025, and he didn't do enough in his six starts with the Pittsburgh Steelers in 2024 to supplant Russell Wilson, even after the veteran struggled down the stretch.

But all of that also shows that if things go south with McCarthy and he struggles enough to get benched, Fields isn't likely to save the Vikings' season.

What the Vikings need is an upgrade over Wentz, and Fields is not that guy.

But if the market is thin and Minnesota has trouble finding a better option, we could see the former first-round pick landing in Minnesota.

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