The Minnesota Vikings selected J.J. McCarthy with the 10th overall pick in the 2024 NFL Draft with high hopes, but two years later, the franchise is reportedly considering trading the young quarterback, and they have reportedly responded directly. 

Considering Kyler Murray's presence and the competition for the starting spot, the Vikings made their position on McCarthy's future clear. The Athletic's Alec Lewis reported the details about the internal discussions he had with the organization.

"My conversations with people internally have not been about trade. They have not been about those comments. They have been about wanting to maximize every single day in the field, and making sure that happens. The chips will fall how the chips will fall," Lewis said, per the VikingzFanPage X account.

After being cut from the Arizona Cardinals, Murray signed a deal worth $1.3 million for one year at league minimum with Minnesota. The Cardinals still owe Murray about $36 million that will come due in 2026.

Those questions gained weight when an unnamed rival general manager told Jason LaCanfora of SportsBoom that McCarthy was pushing for a trade. 

"I think he's wanted out of there since they signed Murray," the GM said. 

McCarthy's reaction to the incident did not alleviate the tension.

"It's just like two guys in a classroom. He sits on one side, I sit on the other side, and it's the coach's responsibility to teach us and coach us," McCarthy said. 

After an injured rookie season and an underwhelming 2025 with further injury issues, surely McCarthy will want to do better next year.

Dan Patrick and Steve Smith Sr. react to Vikings QB situation

The Vikings' quarterback situation has become a topic to discuss after McCarthy and Murray gave contrasting answers to a question about their relationship. This prompted Dan Patrick and Steve Smith Sr. to respond with their opinions.

Patrick responded directly to McCarthy's comments about his injury history and classroom behavior.

"You've opened the door, you've opened the windows, the garage door, you've opened the roof. Stay healthy. Play better if you want to be a competitor. I thought Kyler Murray answered in a very professional manner," Patrick said.

Smith Sr. was less measured, speaking on ESPN. 

"Oh, God bless him. Justin Jefferson probably needs to read that book that AJ Brown was using on the sideline. I don't see a chance. And in fact, JJ McCarthy, you know who could beat JJ McCarthy? Anybody with a heartbeat," Smith Sr. said on ESPN.

The public comments of the two quarterbacks have added an outside layer to what was already a curious situation.

How McCarthy and Murray rival each other when training camp rolls around will offer a clue as to where Minnesota’s quarterback situation is truly headed in 2026. 

Read more at Quarter Back Central!

Written by

Abhay Bharti

Edited by

Aadesh Dhote