As speculation mounts that the Minnesota Vikings are prepared to part with recent first-round pick J.J. McCarthy, the Los Angeles Rams could swoop in with an interesting trade idea for both sides. Would Stetson Bennett make more sense as the Vikings' QB3 than McCarthy and would McCarthy make more sense as the Rams' QB2 than Bennett?
A change of scenery could benefit both quarterbacks, as well as Sean McVay and his former offensive coordinator Kevin O'Connell in Minnesota.
Although it is far from official, people who cover the Vikings are starting to suspect that the Vikings could trade McCarthy, while others believe the team will flat out release him if the team is unable to find a trade partner. By all accounts, former Rams backup Carson Wentz will be backing up Kyler Murray when Minnesota opens the season in Week 1.
McCarthy, the 10th overall pick in 2024 out of Michigan, missed his entire rookie season with injury. When he returned in 2025, he started 10 games, and though he flashed some talent, finished with 11 touchdowns and 12 interceptions. The team had more success when Wentz was under center, and then the Vikings went out and signed Murray in the offseason.
As far as Stetson Bennett, despite some media hype that he was "great" in the second preseason game, the truth is probably close to him being underwhelming . At least as far as being the backup to Matthew Stafford in 2026. While Ty Simpson is far from ready to be a starter, he gives L.A. a closer model of Stafford and what type of offense McVay can run around the quarterback position than Bennett ever could.
While McCarthy would also be a scary option as a backup due to his poor play in the NFL so far, he would be a better one than Bennett, a quarterback who is almost 29 and has never played in the NFL.
Bennett could be Minnesota's QB3, if they're looking for an upgrade over Max Brosmer, while McCarthy could be a go-between on the Rams as L.A. continues to develop Simpson way behind the scenes.
It definitely benefits the Rams more than it does the Vikings, and Minnesota has a new GM as of this past summer, someone who didn't draft McCarthy and is probably ready to move on. So if the Vikings are considering cutting McCarthy anyway, and the Rams are considering the same for Bennett, a straight player-for-player swap could help both teams move on with dignity.
