Home / Sports / Rams Eye Vikings' McCarthy in Draft Trade
Rams Eye Vikings' McCarthy in Draft Trade
9 Apr
Summary
- Bill Barnwell proposed J.J. McCarthy to Rams trade idea.
- Trade involves pick No. 13 for McCarthy and other assets.
- Vikings' QB future with Murray impacts McCarthy's role.
ESPN analyst Bill Barnwell has proposed a draft-day trade scenario involving quarterback J.J. McCarthy and the Los Angeles Rams. Barnwell's idea suggests the Vikings could trade McCarthy to the Rams for pick No. 13, with the Rams receiving McCarthy, pick 18, and pick 97. This trade comes as the Vikings have signed Kyler Murray to be their starting quarterback in 2026, which potentially alters McCarthy's future with the team.
Barnwell suggests that if the Vikings decide to move in a different direction, trading McCarthy for value, such as moving up in the draft, would be sensible. He positions McCarthy's value around a fourth-round pick, costing the Rams approximately $6.6 million over two years. However, many Vikings fans may not want to see McCarthy traded, especially as a mere sweetener in a deal, hoping he can still develop into the team's future.
The Vikings' decision-making around quarterbacks, including the past departure of Sam Darnold, who later won a Super Bowl, adds complexity. McCarthy himself has faced challenges with injuries, missing about 70% of NFL games over the past two seasons. If Murray, who also has an injury history, experiences further setbacks, McCarthy could get an opportunity to prove his worth as QB1, especially after showing significant potential in the latter part of the 2025 season.
