The Los Angeles Chargers already have their quarterback in Justin Herbert, so any move at the position would have to make sense as a backup play rather than a search for a new starter. That’s why Kristopher Knox of Bleacher Report has floated a bold idea that fits the Chargers in a very specific way: a trade for Minnesota Vikings quarterback J.J. McCarthy.
Knox’s proposed deal is straightforward: "Chargers get: QB J.J. McCarthy.
Vikings get: 2028 5th-round pick," Knox predicts. "While this isn't a trade that would impact the starting lineup of either the Vikings or the Chargers, it would bring an end to the McCarthy experiment in Minnesota."
On paper, McCarthy’s situation doesn’t scream obvious trade target. He missed his rookie season because of injury and then struggled badly in 2025 as Minnesota’s starter.
For most teams, that kind of resume would make him a tough sell. But the Chargers are not most teams.
In this scenario, McCarthy would not be in line to challenge Herbert, and even if Herbert were injured, McCarthy likely still wouldn’t be the answer for the starting job. The role would be simple: backup quarterback, nothing more.
That’s also what makes the fit intriguing. McCarthy is only 23, and a move to Los Angeles would reunite him with Jim Harbaugh after their time together at Michigan. He has also played just 10 NFL games across two seasons, and he remains under contract on his rookie deal for the 2026 and 2027 seasons.
Knox pointed out that the Chargers are one of the few teams where the setup could actually make sense for McCarthy, with Harbaugh, Mike McDaniel, and a solid starter and backup ahead of him.
A 2028 fifth-round pick is not nothing, especially for a quarterback who has had his share of rough moments. Still, the appeal is obvious: a cheap, young quarterback with enough upside to be worth a look. For the Chargers, that kind of developmental swing could be a smart one.
In Other News...
Chargers Suddenly Have A Backfield Concern They Cant Shrug Off
The Chargers have been juggling enough health issues that even a smaller one in the backfield deserves attention. After season-ending injuries to Tyler Biadasz and a setback for Rashawn Slater, Los Angeles has also had to monitor running back Keaton Mitchell, who has now missed six straight practices because of an injury. The team has stopped short of placing him on injured reserve, which at least leaves the door open for him to return without the kind of long-term absence that would change the shape of the roster.
General manager Joe Hortiz said Mitchell is working through an issue but nothing major, and that kind of wording usually signals a team that wants to be careful rather than alarmed. Even so, the Chargers may have to handle his status with extra caution because of his injury history, and with the rest of the roster already absorbing significant blows, any uncertainty in the backfield becomes part of a bigger picture. [Read more 🡒]
Jim Harbaugh Practice Clip Went Viral For The Wrong Reason
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Social media, though, had other ideas. Instead of focusing on the coaching detail in the video, attention quickly landed on Harbaughs wide-legged stance, which became the unexpected headline from a session that was supposed to be about refinement and repetition. For the Chargers, the real point remains the same: getting Herberts handoffs aligned and the offense sharper before the games begin. [Read more 🡒]
Chargers Just Sent An Undrafted Rookie A Message Fans Will Notice
Avery Smiths rapid rise from undrafted free agent to trade chip gave the Chargers another reminder of how quickly the back end of a roster can change in late August. Los Angeles sent the cornerback to the Seattle Seahawks for a sixth-round pick in 2027, a move that came before the regular season and underscored how teams are still sorting out depth, scheme fit and future value even after the preseason ends.
Smith said he was surprised to be moved so soon, though he also sounded eager about landing in Seattle. The Seahawks had clearly taken notice, with general manager John Schneider pointing to Smiths preseason work and his familiarity with their defensive system, a combination that made him an easy target for a team looking for help at corner. [Read more 🡒]