J.J. McCarthy (Photo by Stephen Maturen/Getty Images)
A massive trade proposal has the Minnesota Vikings sending 2024 first-round pick J.J. McCarthy to a surprise AFC team in a blockbuster move that would dramatically shake up the offseason.

The Vikings traded up to snag J.J. McCarthy with the No. 10 selection in the 2024 draft. He was set to compete with free agent signing Sam Darnold for the starting quarterback job, but McCarthy required season-ending knee surgery before the regular season began.

Darnold has put together a career year in Minnesota, leading them to 14 wins heading into Week 18’s clash with the Detroit Lions. The 2018 first-round pick has completed 68.1 percent of pass attempts for 4,153 yards, 35 touchdowns and 12 interceptions.

Darnold’s MVP-like performance has earned him a new contract in Minny, but that would mean moving on from J.J. McCarthy before ever playing a snap for them. If the Vikings choose Darnold, there certainly won’t be a shortage of teams interested in the Michigan product.

The FanDuel Sportsbook proposed a fascinating trade scenario that has Minnesota sending McCarthy to the New York Jets in exchange for 2025 first and fourth-round picks, a 2027 second-round pick and running back Braelon Allen.

The Jets are expected to move on from quarterback Aaron Rodgers after a disastrous 2024 campaign, via trade or release. The four-time MVP has also hinted at retiring after the season, but either way, it looks like the Jets will need a new QB in 2025.

Other Teams That Could Target J.J. McCarthy

The 2025 NFL Draft is considered weak for quarterbacks outside of Colorado star Shedeur Sanders. He’ll likely be the top quarterback taken off the board, but other QB-needy teams should be content to roll the dice on McCarthy.

Aside from the Jets, the Las Vegas Raiders, New York Giants, Cleveland Browns, New Orleans Saints and Seattle Seahawks stand out as teams who could target a player like McCarthy.