Inside the Near-Trade That Could’ve Sent J.J. McCarthy to the Raiders-and What It Means Now
The Las Vegas Raiders’ quarterback carousel almost took a very different turn last offseason. While Geno Smith ultimately became the guy in silver and black in 2025, reports now suggest the team came dangerously close to landing rookie QB J.J. McCarthy instead.
According to NFL analyst Daniel Rotman, the Minnesota Vikings were this close to shipping McCarthy to Vegas before the 2025 season. The internal tug-of-war within the Vikings’ front office played a major role in keeping that deal from happening.
Rotman notes that then-head coach Kevin O’Connell leaned toward sticking with veteran Sam Darnold, while former GM Kwesi Adofo-Mensah pushed to keep McCarthy in the fold. That disagreement may have been the final straw in a front office already under pressure-Adofo-Mensah has since been let go.
Rotman’s report paints a picture of a franchise at a crossroads, and the decision to hold onto McCarthy has already created ripple effects. Mitchell Renz of Raiders Report didn’t go so far as to confirm trade talks reached the finish line, but he did back up the idea that the Raiders had serious interest in the former Michigan standout.
Looking back now, the Raiders might be counting their blessings that the deal never materialized. McCarthy’s rookie season left a lot to be desired.
He struggled in key moments, and his development curve appeared steeper than expected. Whether that’s on the player, the system, or the coaching staff is still up for debate-but the results were hard to ignore.
Dropping him into a Raiders offense that lacked consistency across the board might’ve only magnified those issues.
That said, the Raiders didn’t exactly hit a home run with their Plan B. They sent a third-round pick to Seattle and handed Geno Smith a $75 million extension, only to watch him deliver one of the least efficient quarterback performances of the 2025 season. Smith's regression was sharp, and it left Las Vegas with more questions than answers under center.
In hindsight, the Raiders may have dodged a McCarthy-shaped bullet, but they still took a hit with Smith. The price tag was steep, and the return was underwhelming.
The only silver lining? They didn’t have to part with even more draft capital for an unproven rookie.
Given McCarthy’s first-year struggles, that trade might’ve cost them more in the long run.
Now, the Raiders are hitting the reset button again. After a dismal 2025 campaign, Las Vegas holds the No. 1 overall pick in the upcoming 2026 NFL Draft.
All signs point to Fernando Mendoza being the guy they peg as the future of the franchise. If that’s the case, this offseason marks yet another turning point in the team’s long-running search for quarterback stability.
As for the Vikings, they’re in a tough spot of their own. McCarthy remains on the roster, but the coaching staff that inherited him may not be fully sold.
That kind of disconnect can be dangerous for a young quarterback’s growth, especially when the front office that drafted him is no longer in place. With Minnesota trying to recalibrate after a disappointing season and a major leadership shakeup, the situation feels fragile heading into 2026.
Two franchises. Two very different quarterback situations. And one near-trade that could’ve changed everything.