Minnesota Vikings

The Vikings named Kyler Murray their starting quarterback on Tuesday, ending the battle between the former Cardinals starter and J.J. McCarthy before any preseason games were played.

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McCarthy was always going to face an uphill battle to becoming the Vikings’ Week 1 starter after a difficult 2025. Now, questions about his future will begin to swirl after a quick decision from Kevin O’Connell.

If the Vikings decide to trade McCarthy, where could he go?

Here are the top landing spots for the former first-round pick after he was beaten out for Minnesota’s starting job.

MORE: Why Vikings named Kyler Murray starter before preseason

J.J. McCarthy landing spots

Chargers

The connection here is obvious. Jim Harbaugh coached McCarthy to great success at Michigan, and much of his staff is also familiar with the young quarterback. The Chargers, of course, wouldn’t be able to give McCarthy a path to a starting job, but he might not be in any position to demand one at this point.

A trade to the Chargers would give McCarthy the opportunity to get back to basics under a coach he already knows well and learn from offensive coordinator Mike McDaniel. The Chargers have a low-end backup in Trey Lance, so a deal for McCarthy could be a worthwhile flier if his value is low enough.

Buccaneers

The Buccaneers would be a nice fit for McCarthy for two reasons: Jake Browning isn’t a particularly inspiring option behind Baker Mayfield, and Mayfield’s future in Tampa Bay is up in the air after he blasted the organization for its latest contract offer. The Buccaneers could simply franchise tag Mayfield in the offseason, but it’s possible the dynamic between the two becomes untenable. If that’s the case, having an option with some upside already on the roster couldn’t hurt.

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Bills

Like L.A., Buffalo isn’t a place where McCarthy could ever dream of starting as long as Josh Allen is alive and well. The Bills don’t have a particularly exciting or high-ceiling backup, however, as Kyle Allen is locked into the No. 2 role in 2026. Spending a couple of years learning from a former MVP could rehab McCarthy’s image even if he doesn’t ever see the field.

Ravens

McCarthy overlapped with new Ravens head coach Jesse Minter at Michigan, where Minter ran the defense. That connection, plus the need for a backup plan behind Lamar Jackson, could make the fit ideal. Tyler Huntley is back as Baltimore’s No. 2 quarterback, but he’s bounced around over the last couple of years and didn’t have any familiarity with Minter before this offseason.

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Lions

The Lions lost backup Teddy Bridgewater to retirement over the weekend. While Detroit was quick to sign Josh Dobbs, who by all accounts is a capable No. 2, McCarthy would give Dan Campbell a higher-ceiling backup option and even a potential long-term solution behind Jared Goff if one was necessary, as far-fetched as that scenario might be. Would the Vikings be willing to trade McCarthy within the division? That’s more uncertain.

Jaguars

The Jaguars are content with Trevor Lawrence as their starting quarterback, but they have one of the worst backup situations in the NFL with Nick Mullens as their No. 2. Working with offensive guru Liam Coen would give McCarthy a chance to rehab his reputation, and Lawrence takes enough risks that seeing the field as a backup in Jacksonville isn’t inconceivable by any means.

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