Daily News 19

Tag: J.J. McCarthy trade

  • Which NFL Stars Could Still Be Traded Before the 2026 Season?

    Which NFL Stars Could Still Be Traded Before the 2026 Season?

    With the final NFL preseason games scheduled for Saturday, teams are preparing to begin the 2026 season with hopes of reaching Super Bowl 61 at SoFi Stadium on February 14, 2027. After training camp and the preseason, most clubs should have identified their 11 offensive and defensive starters. The Atlanta Falcons remain an exception as they continue evaluating quarterbacks Tua Tagovailoa and Michael Penix Jr.

    However, NFL seasons rarely unfold exactly as expected. Midseason trades often help teams strengthen rosters that are exceeding expectations, acquire draft capital during disappointing campaigns, or accelerate a rebuild.

    The New York Jets provided a recent example of the latter approach. After their season began to unravel, they traded defensive standouts Quinnen Williams to the Cowboys and Sauce Gardner to the Colts. Both players now anchor their respective new teams.

    Notable NFL Trade Candidates Before the Deadline

    The end of the preseason also brings the annual NFL roster cutdown deadline. By 6:00 p.m. ET on Sunday, all 32 franchises must reduce their rosters from 90 players to 53 for the 2026 season. More than 1,000 players will be released, waived, or placed on injured-status designations.

    Some players could receive a fresh opportunity through a trade. The Patriots and Texans completed one such deal this week, with wide receiver Kayshon Boutte moving to Houston after the Texans lost Jayden Higgins for the season to a torn ACL.

    Three prominent players stand out as potential trade candidates before the upcoming deadline.

    Anthony Richardson, Indianapolis Colts quarterback

    Selected fourth overall in the 2023 NFL Draft, Anthony Richardson has struggled to establish consistency. He has started only 15 games across three seasons while dealing with multiple injuries, including an unusual orbital fracture that ended his 2025 campaign. He has also been benched because of poor execution.

    Richardson has an 8–7 record as a starter, with 21 total touchdowns and 17 turnovers. Although the Colts gave him permission to pursue a trade earlier in the offseason, he remains in Indianapolis as Sunday’s deadline approaches.

    J.J. McCarthy, Minnesota Vikings quarterback

    Veteran Kyler Murray has secured Minnesota’s starting quarterback role, leaving 2024 first-round pick J.J. McCarthy seemingly positioned as the backup. Recent practice reports, however, have made the Vikings’ quarterback situation less settled.

    McCarthy split reps with veteran Carson Wentz as the primary backup earlier in the week before missing practice because of an ankle injury suffered against the Ravens. The developing situation could reinforce the 23-year-old’s place on the roster or lead other teams to contact the Vikings about a potential trade.

    Kayvon Thibodeaux, New York Giants edge rusher

    Giants head coach John Harbaugh addressed trade speculation surrounding Kayvon Thibodeaux this spring, noting that “everyone is technically movable” while also describing the 25-year-old edge rusher as a talented player in peak physical condition.

    Thibodeaux is part of a crowded New York pass-rushing group that includes Brian Burns and Abdul Carter. The No. 5 overall pick in the 2022 NFL Draft is entering the final year of his rookie contract, which includes a $14.7 million fifth-year option.

    With 23.5 career sacks and six forced fumbles, Thibodeaux could appeal to contenders seeking additional pass-rushing help before the regular season begins.

    Source: www.marca.com

  • Why the Rams Make Sense for J.J. McCarthy After He Loses the Vikings’ Starting Job

    Why the Rams Make Sense for J.J. McCarthy After He Loses the Vikings’ Starting Job

    The Minnesota Vikings entered training camp expecting a competitive quarterback battle. Two weeks later, head coach Kevin O’Connell had ended the competition by naming Kyler Murray the team’s starting quarterback.

    The decision effectively eliminates the possibility of J.J. McCarthy opening the season at the top of Minnesota’s depth chart. For the former No. 10 overall pick, it represents another setback in an unexpectedly difficult start to his NFL career and raises questions about whether his future remains with the Vikings.

    Why the Vikings could consider trading J.J. McCarthy

    NFL.com senior news writer Kevin Patra recently suggested that Minnesota should consider moving on from the third-year quarterback if a trade opportunity emerges. Patra does not expect the Vikings to release McCarthy, but he argued that the team would likely trust veteran Carson Wentz more as its primary backup if Murray misses time.

    That scenario could leave McCarthy buried as Minnesota’s third quarterback despite entering the NFL with first-round expectations.

    Quarterback depth remains valuable in today’s NFL, but roster flexibility is just as important. The Vikings acquired Murray with the expectation that he could lead a roster capable of competing for a playoff spot. Wentz offers extensive starting experience as a veteran insurance policy, and Minnesota’s coaching staff appears comfortable with his ability to step into the lineup if necessary.

    McCarthy, meanwhile, is in an awkward position. First-round quarterbacks rarely benefit from spending multiple seasons in developmental limbo. Eventually, teams need to determine whether a young passer is a future starter, a dependable backup or a draft investment that did not work out.

    If the Vikings no longer view McCarthy as a legitimate challenger to Murray, trading him while he still has upside could be the most logical outcome. Minnesota could gain draft capital while McCarthy would have an opportunity to restart his career elsewhere.

    Why the Los Angeles Rams could be an ideal fit

    If the Vikings explore trade options, several teams could have interest in McCarthy. The Los Angeles Rams stand out as a particularly appealing destination because of their track record of developing quarterbacks under head coach Sean McVay.

    Matthew Stafford continues to play at a high level, but he is approaching the final stages of an accomplished career. Los Angeles has consistently looked for long-term answers behind its veteran starter, recognizing that succession planning is essential in a league built around quarterback play.

    McCarthy would not need to arrive in Los Angeles and immediately save the franchise. Instead, he could spend a season learning McVay’s system while refining the traits that made him a first-round selection.

    His skill set also aligns with what the Rams value offensively. McCarthy has shown mobility, accuracy on the move and the ability to operate within a structured passing game. Those qualities could develop in an offense built around play-action concepts, timing routes and quarterback-friendly designs.

    Los Angeles would also provide the stability that many young quarterbacks lack. Players at the position often struggle after landing in chaotic situations marked by coaching changes and weak supporting casts. The Rams offer the opposite environment: an established offensive coach, proven infrastructure and a front office with a record of maximizing talent.

    For a former top-10 pick, remaining a third-string quarterback is rarely a long-term solution. A trade could ultimately benefit everyone involved. Minnesota would receive draft capital, McCarthy would get a fresh start and a quarterback-needy team would acquire a talented player with significant untapped potential.

    If the Vikings decide to move McCarthy, the Rams could be the team best positioned to unlock his potential.

    Source: www.marca.com