The Vikings Have Four Quarterbacks. Could J.J. McCarthy Bring Back the Missing Piece?

The Minnesota Vikings did something interesting when they cut their roster down to 53 players.

They kept four quarterbacks.

Kyler Murray.

J.J. McCarthy.

Carson Wentz.

Max Brosmer.

That immediately makes me wonder whether this roster is finished—or whether General Manager Nolan Teasley still has another move coming.

Because while there is certainly value in having quarterback depth, there is also such a thing as having an asset that could potentially help you somewhere else.

And that brings me to J.J. McCarthy.

I Wouldn't Give J.J. Away

First, let me be clear.

I am not suggesting that Minnesota should dump McCarthy just because he lost the starting job to Kyler Murray.

McCarthy is still only 23 years old. He was the 10th overall selection in the 2024 NFL Draft. There are teams around the league that could still believe they can develop him into their quarterback of the future.

In fact, NFL.com reported that there had been speculation about teams potentially acquiring McCarthy—including the Los Angeles Chargers and his former Michigan coach Jim Harbaugh—before Minnesota ultimately kept him on the initial 53-man roster.

That means J.J. has value.

And if the Vikings trade him, they need to get something significant in return.

But what if that return could be the piece that makes this offense considerably more dangerous?

Give This Offense a Dangerous Running Back

Look at the weapons Minnesota already has.

Justin Jefferson.

Jordan Addison.

Jauan Jennings.

T.J. Hockenson.

And now Kyler Murray at quarterback.

That's a lot for a defense to worry about.

Minnesota also has Aaron Jones and Jordan Mason at running back, with the team's current depth chart essentially listing Jones and Mason together atop the position.

I like both players.

But here's my question:

What would this offense look like with a truly explosive, difference-making running back?

Not merely a dependable back.

Not somebody who can give you three or four yards when you need it.

I'm talking about someone who makes a defensive coordinator nervous every time he gets the football.

Put that kind of runner behind Kyler Murray and alongside Justin Jefferson, Jordan Addison, Jauan Jennings and T.J. Hockenson, and suddenly defenses have a serious problem.

Load the box?

Jefferson will make you pay.

Play lighter personnel to defend Minnesota's receivers?

Hand the football to your star running back.

Focus too heavily on either one?

Kyler Murray can hurt you with his legs.

That's the kind of offense I would love to see Kevin O'Connell have at his disposal.

Four Quarterbacks Is a Luxury

There is nothing wrong with quarterback depth. Every Vikings fan knows how quickly an NFL season can change when quarterbacks start getting hurt.

But four quarterbacks on the 53-man roster is unusual enough to make you wonder what Minnesota is thinking.

Murray has already been named the starter. McCarthy is behind him, while veterans Carson Wentz and Max Brosmer are also on the roster.

Maybe Minnesota truly intends to keep all four.

But initial 53-man rosters are rarely final.

And if another NFL team looks at J.J. McCarthy and says, "We still think that kid can become our starting quarterback," Minnesota needs to listen.

Because quarterbacks are valuable.

Very valuable.

Which is exactly why I wouldn't trade J.J. straight-up for some average running back.

If Minnesota moves him, I want an impact player.

Depending upon the player involved, I might even want an impact running back plus draft compensation.

Don't Trade Him Just to Trade Him

There's another reason Minnesota doesn't have to rush.

Somewhere during this NFL season, there's a good chance a team is going to lose a quarterback.

It happens every year.

A contender suddenly loses its starter for six or eight weeks.

A young quarterback struggles.

A team realizes its current quarterback situation isn't working.

And suddenly the price for a 23-year-old former first-round quarterback could look quite different than it does on August 31.

So Minnesota has leverage.

Keep J.J. unless somebody makes you an offer that improves this football team.

But if that offer comes?

I wouldn't be afraid to pull the trigger.

Imagine the Possibilities

I keep coming back to the same thought.

Kyler Murray handing the football to a legitimate star running back with Justin Jefferson lined up outside.

Who does the defense stop?

That's what championship offenses do.

They put a defense in situations where every answer creates another problem.

Minnesota already has elite receiving talent.

They have a quarterback with tremendous athletic ability.

They have an offensive-minded head coach in Kevin O'Connell.

What if the Vikings could add one more major weapon without surrendering a player who is currently starting?

That's why J.J. McCarthy's situation deserves watching.

I'm not rooting against J.J. I hope he has a tremendous NFL career.

But the Vikings' job isn't to collect quarterbacks.

The Vikings' job is to build the best possible football team.

And if another team believes J.J. McCarthy can be its quarterback of the future and is willing to give Minnesota a difference-making running back in return?

Nolan Teasley should pick up the phone.

Because four quarterbacks are nice.

But Justin Jefferson, Kyler Murray and a game-changing running back might be a whole lot nicer.

SKOL!