Sunday was roster cutdown day around the NFL, and the Minnesota Vikings followed suit, trimming the team from 90 down to 53 players. In doing so, they kept J.J. McCarthy on the roster, even though some had expected the 2024 first-round pick to be traded or possibly cut.
While McCarthy made the initial 53-man roster, it doesn’t necessarily mean he’ll be sticking around in Minnesota for the long haul.
Nevertheless, Vikings fans appear split on whether McCarthy should still be on the team.
Minnesota Vikings Fans Debate J.J. McCarthy’s Spot
Not only did McCarthy fail to secure the Vikings’ starting QB job, but he may also have lost the backup job to Carson Wentz. However, no announcement has been made on that front just yet.
What is known is that McCarthy is still on the Vikings’ roster, but his spot could still be in flux as teams make waiver claims and set their practice squad.
Not everyone agrees with the fact that McCarthy made the roster, or that the team kept four QBs: Kyler Murray, McCarthy, Wentz, and Max Brosmer.
Some felt like the Vikings could have traded the No. 10 selection from the 2024 NFL Draft class. Those conversations may be taking place right now. Yet, one commenter suggested that McCarthy has “no trade value” because he’s “absolute garbage.”
“But he has no trade value due to the fact that he’s absolute garbage. So that [expletive].”
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But he has no trade value due to the fact he’s absolute garbage. So that sucks.
— Mike Moffitt (@ShaunR99) August 30, 2026
“Absolute garbage” may be laying it on a bit thick. Yet, McCarthy wasn’t exactly elite last season. His PFN Impact Score of 67 ranked 34th among quarterbacks. But that was also the first time he saw the field after missing his rookie season with a knee injury.
Meanwhile, one commenter suggested that other NFL teams may have just been “waiting to see if he (McCarthy) gets cut.” Now that he wasn’t released, the trade offers could come pouring in.
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“Teams just waiting to see if he gets cut… now the real trade negotiations begin.”
Others were quick to see the situation for what it is, dispelling silly rumors of a first-round pick from just two seasons ago being cut from the roster, even though he’s still just 23 years old.
“I cannot believe this was ever a discussion. Vikings media is in a wild place.”
I cannot believe this was ever a discussion. Vikings media is in a wild place.
— Bryce Neumueller (@bneumueller7) August 30, 2026
Others agreed, suggesting the only way McCarthy was going to be removed from the Vikings’ roster was by trade (or injury).
“No smart person thought he was going to be cut lol… if he didn’t make the roster it would have been via trade…”
Meanwhile, local KSTP media member Chris Long called keeping McCarthy “the right move.”
“It’s the right move, all things considered. I know it’s polarizing (what isn’t these days) but if you couldn’t/can’t get value in a trade, keep him and give him a chance to keep trying to find progress behind the scenes. Also… to try to stay healthy.”
It’s the right move, all things considered.
I know it’s polarizing (what isn’t these days) but if you couldn’t/can’t get value in a trade, keep him and give him a chance to keep trying to find progress behind the scenes.
Also… to try to stay healthy. https://t.co/nK7FSX4Lbk
— Chris Long (@ChrisLongKSTP) August 30, 2026
Yet, one Vikings fan said keeping McCarthy “just doesn’t make sense to me.”
“This just doesn’t make sense to me.”
This just doesn’t make sense to me https://t.co/DN3cYrWqO5
— Josh DeMorrett (@joshdemorrett) August 30, 2026
It may not make sense right now, but odds are there are more moving parts at play here. The Vikings won’t be taking four quarterbacks into their Week 1 game against the Green Bay Packers on Sept. 13, so something else is likely coming; possibly even a trade involving McCarthy.
