Vikings’ JJ McCarthy completely shuts down trade talks amid Kyler Murray competition

The Minnesota Vikings massively shook up their quarterback room when they signed Kyler Murray in free agency. JJ McCarthy’s time as QB1 may already be coming to a close.

However, McCarthy isn’t looking for an exit plan. He is committed to battling with Murray and the Vikings organization overall, via Will Ragatz of Sports Illustrated.

“I think I made it very clear I wanted to be here, before I got here,” McCarthy said. “And I love this organization, I love the coaching staff, I absolutely love these players to death. This is where I want to be. I feel like I can thrive in this system. Everything played out exactly how I wanted it and I wouldn’t want anything else to change.”

#Vikings QB JJ McCarthy on potentially wanting a trade:

“I think I made it very clear I wanted to be here, before I got here. I love this organization, I love the coaching staff, I absolutely love these players to death. This is where I want to be. I feel like I can thrive in… pic.twitter.com/laPgvAZ7OS

— VikingzFanPage (@vikingzfanpage) June 9, 2026

After missing his entire rookie season due to injury, McCarthy went 6-4 over the 10 games he started in 2025. However, he completed 57.6 percent of his passes for 1,632 yards, 11 touchdowns and 12 interceptions. Those numbers, and the fact Minnesota missed the postseason, are exactly why Murray was brought in.

The pair will now battle throughout the offseason to earn the QB1 role. It wouldn’t be the most shocking thing in the world for McCarthy to earn the role. But Minnesota has rolled out the red carpet for Murray since his arrival. Early indications are that he is the early favorite for the starting job, via Kevin Seifert of ESPN.

Still, even if he is serving a backup role, McCarthy doesn’t want to leave the Vikings. He wants to prove his worth to the franchise that selected him 10th overall in the 2024 NFL Draft. But with Murray in town, that goal becomes all the more difficult.

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