Monday reports indicated that the Minnesota Vikings were prepared to have starter
Kyler Murray, veteran Carson Wentz, J.J. McCarthy and 25-year-old Max Brosmer in their quarterback room and on their active roster for Week 1 of the upcoming campaign.
However, the situation changed when Alec Lewis of The Athletic revealed that the Vikings waived Brosmer on Monday “as part of a larger move to make room for two additions on the offensive line.” One understandably may think that the Vikings’ Brosmer decision shows that McCarthy will be with the club for its regular-season opener versus the Green Bay Packers on Sept. 13.
For a Casino.org article published on Tuesday, NFL insider Jason La Canfora suggested that the Vikings could part ways with McCarthy before the Packers game kicks off.
Is J.J. McCarthy a lock to be with Vikings in Week 1?
“Executives around the NFL have informed me for weeks that former first-round pick J.J. McCarthy is unlikely to remain with the Vikings long-term,” La Canfora wrote. “Despite McCarthy’s current trade value being considered low as he deals with an ankle injury, a move away from Minnesota could still come ahead of Week 1.”
During a Monday appearance on “The Pat McAfee Show,” ESPN NFL insider Adam Schefter said that the ankle issue that kept McCarthy from playing in the Vikings’ preseason finale against the Denver Broncos on Aug. 28 is “a multi-week injury.” McCarthy likely had little value as a tradeable asset before he suffered that setback.
La Canfora shared his update after a Monday report claimed that Vikings head coach Kevin O’Connell “wants to keep working with” McCarthy, a 2024 first-round draft pick who has made just 10 total regular-season starts as a pro. However, Lewis noted that “several team sources, speaking on condition of anonymity to discuss internal team matters, said they expect Wentz to become” Minnesota’s primary backup.
O’Connell relegating McCarthy to QB3 duties would say plenty about how the club views the once-promising prospect ahead of his third pro season. That said, it sounds like the Vikings may not give McCarthy away for pennies on the dollar ahead of Labor Day.
Vikings want to protect themselves if they trade J.J. McCarthy?
“As part of any finalized deal, the Vikings are also expected to seek a conditional element in any deal that would increase their compensation, should McCarthy go on to play for his new team,” La Canfora added about a possible trade involving McCarthy.
One can only guess what team(s), if any, would match the Vikings’ asking price for McCarthy. Meanwhile, Emily Leiker of The Minnesota Star Tribune pointed out that the Vikings could sign Brosmer to their practice squad if he clears waivers. Such a development could open the door for Brosmer to serve as Minnesota’s Week 1 QB3.