Ex-NFL scout discusses potential J.J. McCarthy to Browns trade in 2025 amid Sam Darnold's resurgence with Vikings

After Kirk Cousins' exit in the 2024 offseason, the Minnesota Vikings spent the tenth overall pick in the 2024 NFL draft on Michigan Wolverines star J.J. McCarthy and earmarked him as the team's starting quarterback. However, tragedy struck in his preseason debut against the Las Vegas Raiders as he suffered a knee injury, which was later diagnosed as a torn meniscus, costing him his entire rookie season.

With McCarthy out for the year, the Vikings deferred to veteran Sam Darnold and the quarterback repaid the team's faith in him by having the best season of his career. Through Week 17, he has 4,153 passing yards, 35 touchdowns, 12 interceptions, 202 rushing yards and one rushing touchdown. Minnesota is 14-2 and can start the playoffs as the No.1 seed in the NFC.

The Vikings are reportedly considering handing Darnold a new contract extension to retain him as the team's starting quarterback. However, that leaves McCarthy in a limbo. With Darnold being only 27, the former Wolverines star could be a backup for years. Some have suggested that Minnesota should consider trading to a quarterback-needy team, like the Cleveland Browns, and commit to Darnold.

However, former NFL scout John Middlekauff doesn't believe that would be the right move. He explained why in a video posted on his YouTube channel:

"If you are the Vikings, you just keep J.J. McCarthy around. His value has diminished. He tore his knee... So even if you really like J.J. McCarthy, one of the years of his rookie contract is gone, and he had knee surgery twice... Could they get a second-round pick for him? I don't think you can get a first-round pick for a guy who has not played and who has not played in Year 1."

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Sam Darnold contract: Will Vikings hand QB a massive deal?

Sam Darnold signed a one-year, $10 million deal with the Vikings in the offseason to be a veteran presence in the team's quarterback room and step in if J.J. McCarthy struggled on the field. However, neither he nor the team would have envisioned him becoming their Week 1 starter and playing well enough to warrant becoming the franchise quarterback.

According to The Athletic's Dianna Russini, the team is keen on retaining Darnold for the 2025 season. However, they are still unsure whether they should franchise tag him and pay him over $40 million, hand him a long-term but team-friendly deal, or sign him to a lengthy extension and pay him around $40-45 million a season.

For now, all three options are on the board. However, if they go with the third, they could trade McCarthy to get back some return on their investment. For now, they are focused on their Week 18 clash against the Detroit Lions on Sunday and the playoffs. They will discuss their quarterback conundrum and solve it in the offseason.