Vikings' trade price for Mac Jones could be worth it to battle, or replace, J.J. McCarthy

The Minnesota Vikings have to figure out what they're doing at the most important position in sports.

J.J. McCarthy, through an injury-erased rookie season and an injury- and inaccuracy-plagued second season, hasn't looked like the long-term answer at quarterback.

The Vikings will still have McCarthy around heading into the 2026 NFL season, but it seems like they've got to find themselves at least another QB option to consider.

Mac Jones might be the answer.

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The former first-round pick filled in admirably for Brock Purdy at times during the 2025 season for the San Francisco 49ers.

Jones has a year left on his contract, and the 49ers probably aren't in a rush to get rid of him.

But if they do, CBS Sports writer Tyler Sullivan thinks the Vikings are a possible landing spot. He also mentions the Steelers, Jets and Dolphins.

"Jones does fit the profile of a former first-round QB turned castoff, who is ripe for a career resurgence," Sullivan writes.

The Vikings and Kevin O'Connell already did that with Sam Darnold.

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Sullivan thinks it'll cost a third-round pick for a team to trade for Jones. If that's the case, the Vikings should be picking up the phone.

"Jones is still only 27 years old and has a cap hit of just over $3 million in 2026," Sullivan writes. "That creates significant value for prospective teams to evaluate Jones as a potential next veteran to revitalize his career and propel their franchise to playoff contention."

Minnesota wouldn't be committed to Jones for the long run, but if he looked sharp, the Vikings could remedy their mistake of letting Darnold leave and instead secure Jones for the future.

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