The Minnesota Vikings and Arizona Cardinals both find themselves in quarterback limbo heading into 2026 - and there’s a potential trade scenario floating around that could shake up both franchises in a big way.
Let’s start in Minnesota, where J.J. McCarthy didn’t exactly seize the reins in his second season.
The former first-round pick struggled to establish himself as the long-term answer under center, and the Vikings missed the playoffs in a year where the NFC was wide open. The team now faces a pivotal decision: stick with the young quarterback and hope for a leap in Year 3, or pivot toward a more proven option.
Meanwhile, in Arizona, the Kyler Murray era appears to be winding down. The expectation is that the Cardinals will look to move on from the former No. 1 overall pick - if they can find a trade partner willing to absorb his sizable contract. If that happens, veteran Jacoby Brissett would be the only notable quarterback left on the roster.
That’s where this trade idea comes in - one that could benefit both teams in the short and long term.
The proposed swap? McCarthy heads to the desert, while Murray lands in Minnesota. It’s a bold move, but one that makes a lot of sense when you break it down.
For the Vikings, acquiring Murray would give them a dynamic, experienced quarterback who’s still just 28 years old. He’s a former Offensive Rookie of the Year with multiple Pro Bowl appearances, and while injuries and inconsistency have clouded his trajectory, the talent is undeniable. Minnesota has a roster built to compete now - and Murray, if healthy and fully bought in, gives them a legitimate shot to return to the postseason.
On the flip side, Arizona would be resetting the clock with McCarthy, whose rookie deal would be far more cap-friendly than Murray’s. The Cardinals could give the young quarterback a full season in 2026 to prove he belongs, without the pressure of a massive contract hanging over the team’s head.
If McCarthy shows promise, great - they’ve got a potential long-term solution. If not, Arizona could look ahead to the 2027 NFL Draft, which is expected to feature a deeper quarterback class.
There’s another wrinkle to this scenario: the idea that Arizona could also bring in Kirk Cousins as a veteran bridge option. Cousins, of course, is familiar with the NFC landscape and could provide steady leadership while McCarthy develops - or even compete for the starting job outright, depending on how the offseason shakes out.
This kind of quarterback carousel isn’t uncommon in today’s NFL, where teams are constantly balancing win-now urgency with long-term planning. A McCarthy-for-Murray swap, with Cousins potentially entering the mix in Arizona, would be a calculated risk for both franchises - but one that could pay off in a big way if the pieces fall into place.
Bottom line: both the Vikings and Cardinals need clarity at quarterback. This trade could give each team a fresh start - and maybe even a path forward.