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MVP Quarterback Tied to Minnesota Vikings
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- MVP Quarterback Tied to Minnesota Vikings
Kayla Wolf-Imagn Images Kayla Wolf-Imagn Images
This season has not gone according to plan for the Minnesota Vikings . They spent a bunch of money on all facets of the roster in free agency, and it has resulted in just an 8-8 record with one week to play.
Their worst bet was the one they made on J.J. McCarthy being ready. That hasn't been the case , and he's consistently missed time due to a litany of injuries. It seems plausible his season is over , and there's no way they can just run it back next year.
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All options should be considered at the quarterback position, but an immediate high-ceiling option makes a good deal of sense. So far that's largely been the Joe Burrow noise , but Lamar Jackson just entered the chat.
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Lamar Jackson a fit for the Minnesota Vikings
For whatever reason the Baltimore Ravens seem intent on moving Lamar Jackson. He has suffered injuries this season, but he has also been dragged through the mud . Relatively durable for a dual-threat quarterback, The Athletic's Mike Sando notes he could simply change his shades of purple.
The agent loved Minnesota as an under-the-radar destination. The Vikings would send J.J. McCarthy to Baltimore as part of the deal, giving both QBs a fresh start.
Jackson on artificial turf, in a dome? Look out. McCarthy with a Harbaugh? Worked well at Michigan, where his coach was Jim, not John. The Ravens, long rooted in the draft, could put the extra draft picks to use wisely (they drafted Jackson at No. 32, after all).
Minnesota, stung by the success Vikings alums Sam Darnold and Daniel Jones enjoyed this season while McCarthy faltered, would recover in spectacular fashion, changing the dynamics of the NFC North.
It seems logical that short of a big name quarterback on a one-year deal, the Minnesota Vikings would dangle J.J. McCarthy in a trade package. He could be part of the return for either Joe Burrow or Lamar Jackson.
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Of course McCarthy going to Baltimore would be an easy discussion for John Harbaugh to have with brother, and McCarthy's former Michigan coach , Jim. Baltimore has a winner-take-all game against Aaron Rodgers and the Pittsburgh Steelers this weekend, but they appear ready to reset at the quarterback position.
Lamar Jackson was a first team All-Pro last year for the second season in a row, and third time of his career . He won the MVP award while accounting for 29 touchdowns in 2023. Again, it's wild that sort of player is on the outs, but Baltimore could move the final two years of his $260 million deal .
Jackson with Justin Jefferson and Kevin O'Connell both working alongside him seems like an unfair fit. He'd be the most athletic quarterback Minnesota has had in decades, and could immediately take the roster to a Super Bowl contender.
Can the Vikings afford Lamar Jackson?
This offseason the MN Vikings are in an interesting spot. They are more than $35 million over the cap already, and plenty of jockeying will need to take place. Jackson carries a $74.5 million cap hit next season, which is the opposite of what Minnesota envisioned when drafting McCarthy.
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However, if the Vikings want to reset on a roster they grabbed veterans for while watching them flop, then a legit quarterback could be worth the coin. Through just 12 games this season, Jackson has passed for 2,311 yards (63.7% completion rate) and a 18/6 TD/INT rate.
Lamar Jackson is untouchable.
BALvsBUF on NBC
Stream on @NFLPlus + Peacock pic.twitter.com/lms5KlQqqw— NFL (@NFL) September 8, 2025
There's almost no scenario in which the Vikings take another first round quarterback this offseason. They also aren't likely to just give McCarthy the job. How much they want to invest in the position remains to be seen, but this would be another home run swing.
In September the NFL ranked Lamar Jackson as the number two player on the top 100 for 2025. In December he's now a player that could fulfill the Teddy Bridgewater hopes out of Lousville.
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