The Minnesota Vikings’ decision to sign Kyler Murray has quickly reshaped their quarterback room and created uncertainty around J.J. McCarthy’s future with the team. Murray arrives as the more established option, and his presence has already sparked leaguewide speculation about whether McCarthy could become a trade candidate before the season.
New York Jets Mentioned As Surprise Landing Spot for J.J. McCarthy
Bleacher Report recently identified the New York Jets as a surprise AFC team to watch in a potential McCarthy trade, noting that Minnesota decision-makers will dictate the timing of any potential move.
“This is a trade that likely would not materialize until later in the summer, once the Vikings have a fuller evaluation of their quarterback room and acknowledge that, despite his flaws, Murray is currently the more proven NFL option than McCarthy. The point is coming where Minnesota will have two choices: hand McCarthy a clipboard or trade the third-year pro while he still has some value.”
McCarthy remains an intriguing option for quarterback-needy teams because he still carries developmental upside and has two seasons left on his rookie contract. That combination keeps him in play for clubs willing to invest in a young passer who has yet to meet the expectations that came with his draft position.
“With at least two years left on his rookie deal, a quarterback-needy team might still consider offering a second-round pick to the Vikings for the 23-year-old, even if that level of investment would be risky and could backfire.”
In reality, that type of return appears unlikely, and Minnesota would be fortunate to secure a mid-round pick if the team decides to move him. McCarthy finished the 2025 season with a PFSN QB Impact score of 64.5, ranking 37th among all quarterbacks.
The Jets fit the profile of a team that could explore such a move as they continue searching for long-term stability at the position. New York is coming off a difficult 2025 season in which its offense posted a PFSN Offense Impact score of 58.7, ranking 29th overall.
The organization has been aggressive in exploring ways to raise its offensive floor, and adding a young quarterback with room to grow could be the next step in that process.
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For Minnesota, the decision will hinge on how quickly Murray settles in and how much confidence the staff has in McCarthy’s ability to push for playing time. If the Vikings determine that McCarthy is unlikely to see meaningful snaps in 2026, the trade market may offer their best chance to recoup value.
For now, McCarthy remains on the roster. But with Murray in place, the possibility of a summer trade continues to gain momentum.
