The NFL’s worst-kept secret is lastly out within the open.
The Minnesota Vikings
named
Kyler Murray their beginning quarterback for Week 1 of the 2026 season. Whereas that does not imply he’ll maintain onto the job for the entire marketing campaign, the choice can set off a ripple impact on the roster.
J.J. McCarthy is not more likely to take this transfer kindly. With the Vikings seemingly giving up on him, quarterback-needy groups ought to decide up the telephone to inquire about his availability.
As dangerous as he is been, he is nonetheless a former first-round decide who hasn’t come even near his prime years. Contemplating that, let’s check out three locations that make sense for him.
The Tampa Bay Buccaneers will greater than seemingly lose Baker Mayfield in free company. He will not negotiate a brand new deal through the season, and he claimed he felt disrespected by the group.
The Bucs can take a flier on a former nationwide champion with dual-threat upside. Whereas their offensive coordinator has modified a number of occasions since Mayfield took over, their teaching employees was in a position to salvage his profession, so they could wish to attempt their luck with one other reclamation challenge. They will use this season to develop him and determine whether or not he could be their man for the longer term.
The Los Angeles Chargers have already got a franchise quarterback, however depth behind Justin Herbert is a priority. As issues stand now, they solely have Trey Lance and DJ Uiagalelei.
Whereas he seemingly would not play there, he’d get an opportunity to reunite with head coach Jim Harbaugh, who was his greatest advocate within the predraft course of. He’d additionally get to develop underneath an offensive guru like Mike McDaniel. Inside a season or two, he could possibly be the league’s subsequent Sam Darnold.
The Pittsburgh Steelers should put together for the post-Aaron Rodgers period, they usually have one of the underwhelming quarterback rooms within the league.
Will Howard and Mason Rudolph aren’t starting-caliber guys, and Drew Allar would possibly want much more time than McCarthy to get his act collectively. If something, he generally is a worthy gamble.
The Michigan product would be part of one other offensive-minded teaching employees. Whereas Mike McCarthy has had his shortcomings as a head coach, he actually is aware of easy methods to put his quarterbacks in a positive place.
