The Minnesota Vikings selected J.J. McCarthy 10th overall in the 2024 NFL Draft, envisioning the Michigan standout as their long-term solution at quarterback.
Yet after offseason maneuvers and changing priorities under head coach Kevin O’Connell, McCarthy‘s role in Minnesota is suddenly uncertain, sparking discussion about whether his tenure with the team could be shorter than anticipated.
The Cleveland Browns, Pittsburgh Steelers, and Los Angeles Chargers are among those league sources believe could be watching closely. With Minnesota‘s recent addition of veteran Kyler Murray intensifying competition at the position, front offices around the NFL are evaluating where McCarthy might fit if the Vikings decide to move on.
The Browns‘ interest stems from lingering uncertainty under center in Cleveland. While Shedeur Sanders currently has the inside track at quarterback, some in the organization are reluctant to fully commit long-term, creating a plausible opening for Minnesota‘s onetime first-round pick.
On a recent ESPNCleveland show, analyst Aaron Goldhammer didn’t mince words, questioning why the Browns haven’t explored bringing in McCarthy as a potential starter.
Cleveland‘s motivations aren’t hard to decipher. The franchise has navigated quarterback turnover in recent seasons, and acquiring a cost-controlled 23-year-old with starting experience, even one who has faced adversity, could appeal to a team still searching for stability.
Trades of this nature are often about timing and fit, and the Browns‘ current situation makes them one of the few AFC clubs realistically positioned to pursue McCarthy if the Vikings decide to entertain offers.
Emerging suitors in the AFC
The Pittsburgh Steelers represent another compelling potential landing spot. Pittsburgh has cycled through a series of quarterbacks over the past several years and doesn’t currently have a long-term heir apparent locked in.
Though veteran Aaron Rodgers remains in the conversation, his future with the Steelers is far from settled heading into 2026, and Pittsburgh brass may be inclined to land a developmental quarterback if Rodgers‘ status remains fluid.
McCarthy‘s age and relative affordability on a rookie contract are key selling points for teams like Pittsburgh, which need stability under center without derailing roster flexibility.
In recent league rumor roundups, the Steelers have been tied to discussions about acquiring young quarterback talent precisely because their current lineup lacks a clear answer beyond Rodgers or lower-cost alternatives.
Meanwhile, out west, the Los Angeles Chargers make intriguing sense as well. Though they currently employ Justin Herbert, a Pro Bowl-caliber quarterback, the Chargers‘ offense under head coach Jim Harbaugh has occasionally sputtered, and adding competition or depth behind Herbert could be part of a winnow strategy.
Chargers lore adds another layer: McCarthy‘s college coach was Harbaugh at Michigan, where the quarterback posted a 27-1 record and won a national championship.
Back in Minnesota, Vikings decisionmakers aren’t formally shopping McCarthy at this moment, and they’ve reiterated that they value the investment they made in drafting him.
But league insiders contend that interest from teams in need of quarterback solutions will generate inquiries, whether formally or informally, as the NFL calendar marches toward training camp.
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