Raiders Rumors: Could Team Explore Trade For Vikings QB JJ McCarthy?

Corey Hansford
Corey Hansford
3 Min Read
Aug 10, 2024; Minneapolis, Minnesota, USA; (Editors Notes: Caption Correction) Minnesota Vikings quarterback J.J. McCarthy (9) and Las Vegas Raiders defensive end Maxx Crosby (98) react after the game at U.S. Bank Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Jeffrey Becker-USA TODAY Sports

There is no doubt that the biggest need for the Las Vegas Raiders this offseason is a franchise quarterback. For as solid as Aidan O’Connell has been, this team sorely needs a top-flight signal-caller if they plan on taking a leap into contention.

Much of the focus has been on the Raiders finding one in the 2025 NFL Draft, and that may still be the case, though the team’s recent victories have knocked them down in the draft order, making that more difficult. Another possibility is a trade, and a potential target could be Minnesota Vikings rookie JJ McCarthy.

McCarthy was the 10th overall pick of the 2024 NFL Draft, but a torn meniscus in the preseason ended his year before it began, and with veteran Sam Darnold turning in a Pro Bowl season, some feel the Vikings could explore a trade for their rookie. ESPN’s Adam Schefter feels teams will at least reach out to the Vikings and explore that possibility, with Minnesota likely being able to get a great haul if they decide to deal:

“In a limited quarterback draft class, where there are far more teams that need quarterbacks than quarterbacks who actually can step in right away, I definitely think teams will be checking in with the Vikings to see if they have any interest in trading J.J. McCarthy.

“Now they may say [they] don’t and that’s the end of it, but do I think teams will explore that option that you just raised here already? Of course. Absolutely. 100 percent. Because J.J. McCarthy would’ve been a top, if not the top, quarterback prospect in this draft. and yes he’s coming off the ACL, so what it doesn’t really matter. If the Vikings decide that they wanted to trade him, which I don’t know that they will, I believe they would get back everything they put into him and then some. It would be a [first round pick] and then some.”

It would make a ton of sense for the Raiders to at least reach out and inquire about McCarthy, especially if they hold the same belief as others that McCarthy would be the top-rated quarterback in this draft class had he stayed one more year in college.

The Raiders have some extra draft picks in both 2025 and 2026 to offer if they want to explore the trade route, and while there is no guarantee, the Vikings even want to deal with McCarthy. But at the very least, it is another possibility in an offseason in which the Raiders must get the right guy under center.

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Corey Hansford is the Senior Editor for Lakers Nation, as well as a contributor for Dodger Blue, Rams News Wire, and Raiders News Wire. He is a passionate follower of the Los Angeles Lakers, Dallas Cowboys, Los Angeles Dodgers, Chelsea FC, and the UFC. He can usually be seen arguing the merits of Kobe Bryant or cursing the decisions of Jerry Jones. He is also a former producer and associate producer for Sirius XM Sports Radio on both the Fantasy Sports Channel and College Sports Nation. Proud graduate of Long Beach Poly High School and The Real HU, Howard University, with a degree in Broadcast Journalism. Follow him on all social media outlets at @TheeCoreyH.