...
By Michael Gallagher
Sports Content Coordinator
0
Share
Newsweek is a Trust Project member
See more of our trusted coverage when you search.Prefer Newsweek on Googleto see more of our trusted coverage when you search.
Most would agree that the 2026 season just may be J.J. McCarthy’s final year with the Minnesota Vikings.
The 23-year-old former No. 10 overall pick is two years into his Vikings tenure, and all he has to show for it is a 6-4 record as a starter, 1,632 yards passing, 11 touchdowns, 12 interceptions, and a lost rookie year due to a knee injury.
Because McCarthy has been so inconsistent, the Vikings brought in two-time Pro Bowler Kyler Murray to compete with him this offseason. But in the months since Murray joined the team, he’s actually outplayed McCarthy and most believe the starting QB job is his to lose.
Read More on NFL
If McCarthy is riding the bench by Week 1 in September, there’s a good chance he won’t finish the year in Minnesota, which is why Bleacher Report’s Kristopher Knox thinks the Pittsburgh Steelers should consider trading for the Michigan alum as a possible heir apparent to 42-year-old Aaron Rodgers, who’s already made it clear 2026 will be his last season.
“To be fair, there's still a chance that McCarthy can claim the Vikings' starting gig in camp,” Knox wrote. “If he can't, however, Murray may never relinquish it, and McCarthy may find himself out of opportunities in Minnesota. If that occurs, he should hope to land with another team that doesn't have a clear long-term QB answer sooner than later.”
...
Adding a player of McCarthy’s caliber to Pittsburgh’s QB room would be an intriguing move, and it would allow McCarthy to work with head coach Mike McCarthy (no relation), a known quarterback guru who could help resurrect the QB’s career.
The Steelers know they won’t have Rodgers beyond next season, which means they’re already presumably planning for what happens next.
The team spent a 2026 third-round pick on Penn State signal-caller Drew Allar, and it also has 2025 sixth-round pick Will Howard who are expected to battle for the starting job next season.
A three-player competition between McCarthy, Allar, and Howard could bring out the best in all three and give Pittsburgh options heading into 2027.
There’s also a possibility the Steelers could select a passer in the QB-rich 2027 draft with Texas’ Arch Manning, Oregon’s Dante Moore, Notre Dame’s C.J. Carr, LSU’ Sam Leavitt, Miami’s Darian Mensah, Ohio State’s Julian Sayin, South Carolina’s LaNorris Sellers, Ole Miss’ Trinidad Chambliss, and Texas Tech’s Brendan Sorsby all expected to be available.
View 0 Comments
Submit Correction
View Editorial & AI Guidelines