The Minnesota Vikings are likely to install Kyler Murray as their starting quarterback for 2026. If and when that happens, Kyler Murray goes to the bench. It’s unlikely that he operates as the backup with veteran Carson Wentz in the building, and there’s no reason for him to rot as a third-string option.

New general manager Nolan Teasley can distance himself from Kwesi Adofo-Mensah’s pick of McCarthy by simply moving him. Unfortunately, the Vikings won’t recoup the 10th overall pick they invested in McCarthy, but that doesn’t mean he is without value.

Vikings New GM Has a QB Asset to Weigh

McCarthy is still young, has room to develop, and can learn elsewhere in a situation that doesn’t have the same backstory as Minnesota comes with. Multiple landing spots make sense, and intriguing players always generate some return.

Not long ago, Anthony Richardson was once again rumored to be a trade target for the Minnesota Vikings. A late-round pick was the expected compensation, and something along those lines would make a similar amount of sense to get in exchange for McCarthy.

The Vikings should make it known that McCarthy is fully available, and then pit interested suitors against one another. Maybe Jim Harbaugh wants to work with McCarthy again in Los Angeles. The Browns may believe they need yet another quarterback. There’s a chance McCarthy may be more alluring than a blind pick for Brennan Sorsby in a supplemental draft, too.

At any rate, going into the season with McCarthy on the roster after losing the quarterback battle doesn’t seem wise. Trying to cut bait and get value back before another year ticks off his candidate does sound like sound logic. Though the Vikings no longer need McCarthy, that doesn’t mean he’s without value elsewhere.