New York Jets head coach Aaron Glenn is finding himself in far from a stress-free environment right out of the gates. With the Jets likely to part ways with veteran quarterback Aaron Rodgers prior to next season, it leaves a glaring hole at the most important position.
Most teams with a disappointing veteran QB tend to have a high draft pick, like the Cleveland Browns. However, the Jets have the No. 7 pick in the 2025 NFL Draft, which is a weak class at the position. This could potentially pave the way for a blockbuster trade that would still land New York a first-round talent.
New York Jets Predicted To Acquire QB J.J. McCarthy From Minnesota Vikings
The Minnesota Vikings are coming off an impressive season with breakout QB Sam Darnold at the helm. While he crumbled when it mattered most, Darnold’s play in the first 16 games may have been enough to earn at least another year as Minnesota’s starter.
If that’s the case, J.J. McCarthy would simply be riding the bench instead of having a shot to prove himself as the face of a franchise. That’s why Yardbarker predicts the Jets will trade for McCarthy to give him an opportunity to shine while the Vikings stick with Darnold.
“McCarthy effectively had a red-shirt year after missing his rookie season due to injury and might have lost the starting job in Minnesota after Sam Darnold’s fine season,” said Yardbarker’s Seth Trachtman.
“If Minnesota retains Darnold, they could look to cash in on their 2024 first-rounder. The Jets are among the teams desperate for a quarterback with a weak 2025 draft class after the Aaron Rodgers debacle.”
This is truly not a logical route for the Vikings, as keeping both QBs on their roster for at least next season is ideal. While Darnold did rank No. 12 in PFSN’s QB+ metric, there’s no guarantee his campaign wasn’t a fluke. Still, a weak free agency class for quarterbacks slots him at No. 10 among all available players, according to PFSN.
Let’s assume Minnesota is willing to part with McCarthy. The question then becomes, how would he fit in the Jets’ offense?
An important factor of the former Michigan Wolverine heading to New York this summer is timing. Having a first-time QB play alongside a first-time head coach could go one of two ways. The front office may be more lenient with McCarthy and Glenn, allowing time to get their chemistry together, or become anxious if the latter isn’t developing the 22-year-old into a franchise quarterback right away.