Super Bowl-winning HC makes feelings known on trade rumors circling Vikings' J.J. McCarthy

Modified Jan 04, 2025 12:20 GMT

NFL: Las Vegas Raiders at Minnesota Vikings - Source: Imagn — Super Bowl-winning HC makes feelings known on trade rumors around Vikings' J.J. McCarthy | Image Source: Imagn

Super Bowl-winning coach Jon Gruden has shared his thoughts on the Minnesota Vikings' J.J. McCarthy's trade rumors. It has been the Sam Darnold show all year.

When J.J. McCarthy went down with an injury in preseason, the Vikings fanbase was plunged into uncertainty. McCarthy was the fifth QB off the board in the 2024 NFL Draft and was widely regarded as the most NFL-ready of the quintet, given that he had just won a National Championship alongside Jim Harbaugh.

McCarthy didn't take the field in the regular season, but Sam Darnold stepped up big time, leading the Vikings to the playoffs. Darnold signed a one-year, $10 million deal with the team, and his contract is set to run out, making a him the biggest name in the list of top free agents this year.

All that has begged the question of what the Vikings do with McCarthy, who flashed a lot of promise in the offseason. Trade rumors have linked McCarthy with a move away, and with the 2025 draft class not too heavy on quality QBs, there could a few suitors for McCarthy. However, Gruden reckons the Vikings shouldn't entertain any trade offers.

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Replying to a fan who posed the question of if Minnesota should trade McCarthy for a top-5 pick in the 2025 NFL Draft, Gruden wrote:

"I wouldn't let him leave in 1 million years."

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Where Sam Darnold, J.J. McCarthy and Vikings stand in 2025

J.J. McCarthy has campaigned for Kevin O'Connell to be crowned the Coach of the Year all season and with good reason. Heading into Week 18, the Vikings are 14-2 and second in the NFC North, behind the Detroit Lions, who have the same record.

Their Sunday Night Football showdown will decide who gets the top seed in the NFC and some much-needed rest with a first-round bye. Interestingly, it will also be the winningest matchup in regular season history, given both teams have 14 wins leading up to their final regular season game of the year.

The Vikings vs Lions game kicks off at 8:20 p.m. Eastern live from Ford Field and will be broadcast on NBC.