The Minnesota Vikings won’t be making the playoffs this season, as the decision to go all in on J.J. McCarthy took a significant hit. Now, that doesn’t mean that Minnesota will discard McCarthy, but they might look to bring in a quarterback to challenge him for the starting job.
Nonetheless, the second-year signal-caller appears to be returning after missing the Week 13 loss to the Seattle Seahawks due to a concussion. With a handful of games left in the 2025 NFL season, McCarthy is receiving a blunt message heading into the offseason.
On the December 4 edition of “First Things First,” co-host Chris Broussard stated what he wants to see from the Vikings quarterback in the last five games.
“J.J., the rest of this season, you have got to prove that you are the man,” Broussard said. “That’s all it’s about. It’s similar to Shedeur Sanders in Cleveland. This season is done as far as the playoffs. It’s about you showing Kevin O’Connell and the Vikings that you are their future franchise quarterback.
“Otherwise, is it off the board that Daniel Jones will be a free agent? Is it off the board that they make a lucrative offer to Daniel Jones? I don’t think it’s off the board.
“If J.J. struggles the rest of the season, they may go out—whether it’s Daniel Jones or Mac Jones—and try to make a trade for him or something like that. You could be in Zach Wilson territory if you don’t produce the rest of this season. J.J., I’m pulling for you. I am actually pulling for you.”
The Vikings Are Urged to Move for Mac Jones
A trade for the San Francisco 49ers‘ quarterback appears to be the trade target that some NFL media members want to see the Vikings pull off this offseason. FOX Sports’ Colin Cowherd recently revealed what he believes it would take to get Jones out of the Bay Area.
“I would go get Mac Jones,” Cowherd said in a December 2 video from “The Colin Cowherd Podcast.“ “You won’t have to give up a first-round pick because you do have to pay him a little bit. But if you’re Minnesota, you can’t go through this again.”
Furthermore, Cowherd feels Minnesota has a roster built to compete immediately, making a trade for Jones a logical move.
“You have too good of players: Justin Jefferson, Jordan Addison, ” Cowherd added. “You have a left tackle that’s already had a major injury. How long are you going to be able to keep Brian Flores if you’re Minnesota? I’m watching today, and I’m like J.J. McCarthy—forget the inefficiency—he can’t stay healthy. You have to go get somebody. I would go get Mac Jones.
“Call Kyle Shanahan. You’re going to have to give up probably a second-round pick, but you can keep your first. I look at what Minnesota’s doing, and I know Kevin O’Connell, Sean McVay, Sean Payton—they’re not the [Pittsburgh] Steelers. They’re just not going to wait until July to figure out their quarterback situation.”
Mac Jones Appears to Be Common Target for Vikings
Meanwhile, Cowherd isn’t alone in recommending the Vikings target Jones. ESPN NFL analyst Dan Orlovsky has also called on Minnesota to explore two options at the position to strengthen the roster and ensure star wideout Justin Jefferson remains content.
“The likeliest way that I think [the Vikings] can keep [Jefferson], at least, or make him happy is Daniel Jones or Mac Jones, “ Orlovsky said on the December 1 edition of “Get Up.” “That’s really the future in Minnesota. I think they’re going to have to bring some high-end competition in for J.J. McCarthy.
“The free-agent market is not going to be great. Daniel Jones will be a free agent. Mac Jones, I believe, is under contract for San Francisco, but could he be a trade target? The draft is not going to be great, and you’re not drafting a kid to bring in with J.J. McCarthy because then there’s two unproven young players. In relation to Justin, does Mac Jones get you happy? Does Daniel Jones get you happy?”
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