Earlier this offseason, the Minnesota Vikings signed Kyler Murray to a veteran minimum deal, giving them another proven option alongside J.J. McCarthy. The move also created a real competition heading into the new season.
Now, the Vikings revealed that Murray won the quarterback battle and will start the season under center. As a result, McCarthy will begin the year as the backup, while his name could quickly become part of trade discussions. Amid that speculation, former NFL scout John Middlekauff has already identified an interesting destination.
John Middlekauff Believes J.J. McCarthy Could Reunite with Jim Harbaugh
Middlekauff raised the possibility while sharing a clip from the “3 and Out” podcast on X. He explained that the connection between McCarthy and Harbaugh could give the Los Angeles Chargers a reason to explore a low-cost move.
“The first spot I think everyone thinks about when it comes to him is the Chargers and Jim Harbaugh,” Middlekauff said. “He clearly talked him up coming out of the draft. He won a national championship with him. Could they get J.J. McCarthy for a late-round pick and try to rehab his value?”
“I think JJ McCarthy is traded over the course of the next three weeks.”@JohnMiddlekauff breaks down JJ McCarthy’s top trade destinations after the Minnesota Vikings named Kyler Murray QB1. pic.twitter.com/APTQHPSNpI
— 3 & OUT with John Middlekauff (@3andout_pod) August 12, 2026
That possibility is rooted in a relationship that produced major success at Michigan. Harbaugh and McCarthy helped lead the Wolverines to a College Football Playoff National Championship during their time together.
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Moreover, Harbaugh repeatedly praised McCarthy’s competitiveness and belief in his ability. He even said he would follow the young quarterback “to hell and back.”
Now, with McCarthy suddenly behind Murray in Minnesota, a reunion with his former coach could become one of the more intriguing trade scenarios to watch.
The third-year quarterback needed a strong offseason and training camp to win the starting job. However, his development appeared modest, making the competition tougher than expected.
Then, McCarthy’s numbers from last season did little to strengthen his case. He finished the year with 1,632 passing yards, 11 touchdowns, and 12 interceptions over 10 games.
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His 72.6 passer rating also reflected an uneven campaign. PFN’s Quarterback Impact Metric gave him a 67.0 grade, which placed him 34th among qualifying quarterbacks.
Still, Vikings head coach Kevin O’Connell has not closed the door on McCarthy’s future in Minnesota. O’Connell said he “absolutely” believes the quarterback remains part of the team’s long-term plans.
However, Murray now holds the starting job, and McCarthy may struggle to find another chance unless an injury changes the situation. Because of that, Middlekauff expects Minnesota to make a move rather than let McCarthy spend an extended period as a backup.
“And if I’m a betting man, right now, J.J. McCarthy is traded over the course of the next three weeks,” Middlekauff said.
For now, McCarthy’s future remains up in the air, and a reunion with Harbaugh in Los Angeles could become a real possibility.
