As the 2025 NFL season approaches, speculation is already swirling around Minnesota Vikings’ rookie quarterback J.J. McCarthy, who has yet to take his first official snap. In a recent bold predictions piece for the 2025 trade deadline, Bleacher Report’s Brad Gagnon stirred the pot by suggesting that the Vikings could be in the market for a veteran quarterback if McCarthy struggles early on.
One name that surfaced in Gagnon’s analysis is Tampa Bay Buccaneers’ star Baker Mayfield. Gagnon theorized that if the Buccaneers falter at the start of the 2025 season, Mayfield—currently in the second year of a $100 million contract—could become a trade target. “We won’t speculate on injuries, but the Steelers and Vikings both come to mind in the event that either the Aaron Rodgers experiment blows up quickly or J.J. McCarthy gets off to a horrible start in Minnesota,” Gagnon wrote. While he leaned toward the Vikings having a longer leash with their young quarterback compared to the uncertainty surrounding the 41-year-old Rodgers in Pittsburgh, the possibility of Minnesota seeking a proven veteran like Mayfield remains a spicy talking point.
Let’s be clear: this is pure speculation. Mayfield is coming off a successful 2024 season, leading Tampa Bay to the NFC playoffs and showing no signs of discord with the Buccaneers. For now, any talk of him being traded is nothing more than a thought experiment. However, the bigger question is whether the Vikings would actually pursue a veteran quarterback if McCarthy’s debut season goes south.
The short answer? Highly unlikely—unless disaster strikes in the form of another season-ending injury for McCarthy. The Vikings have shown unwavering commitment to their young quarterback, drafting him as their franchise cornerstone and opting not to bring in any significant competition during the offseason. Instead of chasing high-profile veterans like Sam Darnold, Daniel Jones, Aaron Rodgers, Joe Flacco, Gardner Minshew, or Cooper Rush, Minnesota made a low-cost move, acquiring Sam Howell on Day 3 of the NFL Draft. Their depth chart behind McCarthy includes Howell, undrafted rookie Max Brosmer, and practice squad journeyman Brett Rypien—hardly a group poised to challenge for the starting role.
Head coach Kevin O’Connell has yet to officially name McCarthy the Week 1 starter, but the lack of serious alternatives speaks volumes. The Vikings are all-in on the former Michigan Wolverines star, ready to let him steer the ship in 2025, for better or worse. There’s no “leash” on McCarthy; the team’s offseason moves signal a clear intent to let him develop without the pressure of a veteran breathing down his neck.
That said, what happens if the worst-case scenario unfolds and McCarthy suffers another injury? In that case, a trade deadline acquisition could be on the table, but it would depend heavily on timing and context. If Minnesota is forced to rely on Howell or another backup like Mayfield, the season would likely be a lost cause. The Vikings’ 2025 hopes hinge on McCarthy’s health and performance, and any deviation from that plan would signal a major setback.
For now, the idea of the Vikings abandoning McCarthy for a $100 million superstar like Mayfield remains a bold—but distant—hypothetical. Minnesota is ready to sink or swim with their rookie quarterback, and fans should buckle up for what promises to be an intriguing season.