Vikings QB J.J. McCarthy makes bold statement about a potential trade
Within the context of the quarterback competition, trade discussion has picked up with QB J.J. McCarthy.
The quarterback competition between Kyler Murray and J.J. McCarthy with the Minnesota Vikings continues to get more and more discussion. On Tuesday after mandatory minicamp practice, McCarthy was asked about those trade rumors and gave a very poignant answer.
“I think I made it very clear I wanted to be here before I got here. I love this organization, I love the coaching staff, I absolutely love these players to death. This is where I want to be. I feel like I can thrive in this system, and everything played out exactly how I wanted it. I wouldn’t want anything else to change.”
Minnesota Vikings quarterback J.J. McCarthy
Kyler Murray vs. J.J. McCarthy Competition
- The Vikings made it clear it was a genuine quarterback competition between the two after they signed Murray in March.
- During practices available to the media, members of the beat has consistently mentioned the aspect of Murray being much more talented.
- Throughout the summer, both quarterbacks have been given relatively equal reps.
J.J. McCarthy makes it clear he doesn’t want to be traded
It shouldn’t be much of a surprise that McCarthy wants to be with the Vikings for the long term. During the predraft process, McCarthy was famously quoted as saying, “I’ll run through a brick wall for you [head coach Kevin O’Connell].
Even with McCarthy’s comments, there will still be a multitude of trade discussion. There is the old adage saying, “If you have two quarterbacks, you have zero.” Part of that is linked with neither quarterback being good enough, but the other is preventing your starter from having to look over their shoulder. It isn’t a mistake that Tom Pelissero floated that idea around the day after the Vikings introduced Nolan Teasley as their new general manager.
“I don’t know what direction they’re going to go as you get closer to the season, but let’s say Kyler wins the job, which I would lean toward Kyler is the starting quarterback. Do you have J.J. as the backup? Do you potentially look to trade him while there’s still some intrigue within the league? You might be able to get more for him with two years left on his rookie contract than with one year left. Those are all things that I would think you’re going to talk through.”
NFL Network’s Tom Pelissero
McCarthy gave the perfunctory answer here, and it’s good business to do so. It will be curious to see how this develops from the Vikings and McCarthy’s perspective.