“Vikings are realizing that they shouldn’t have traded JJ McCarthy for a bag of chips”: Fans question the American football team’s decision as its offensive struggles worsen

Minnesota Vikings lost for the second consecutive week, stumbling at home against a Buffalo Bills team which somehow managed to grind out a primetime victory. While the defense once again stood out, keeping Josh Allen’s and the Bills’ offense in check and limiting them to just 23 points, the offense struggled to get going. They only managed two field goals throughout the game, failing to find the end zone.

Kyler Murray was left out of the starting eleven because of a hamstring injury, forcing them to go to veteran Carson Wentz. However, even before Murray’s injury, he was struggling in the centre, barely making explosive plays. Stepping in for him, Wentz delivered a historically poor performance.

The former Eagles QB completed only 8 of his 25 pass attempts and was picked off twice by the Bills defence. Kevin O’Connell replaced him with Max Brosmer towards the end of the game.


With Murray injured, Wentz struggling and Brosmer an inexperienced, undrafted QB, the Vikings are suddenly in need of depth at the position. A viable option was once right in front of them, until they traded him away. Earlier this season, Minnesota sent JJ McCarthy to the Giants for a mere, only two years after drafting him 10^th overall in the 2024 Draft.

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Could McCarthy come in handy at this point, with the Vikings offense struggling to generate production or pose a consistent threat to opposing defenses? Fans certainly seem to think so, arguing that Minnesota shouldn’t have traded the Michigan Alum for a mere 5th-round pick. They view the move as a poor decision for a team that entered the season hoping to compete for the Super Bowl.

Even though McCarthy struggled during his time in Minnesota, fans believe keeping him would still have been a wise roster move. They took to social media to voice their frustration. A fan wrote, “The Vikings realizing they shouldn’t have traded JJ McCarthy for a bag of chips”.

Another fan wrote, “The Minnesota Vikings in a season where they were trying to compete for a Super Bowl elected to trade JJ McCarthy because they were comfortable with Carson Wentz as their backup? HAHAHA”

A puzzled fan commented, “I’m not sure what happened with JJ McCarthy in Minnesota, but there’s just no way they said this was a better situation than starting him. I don’t understand”

Another user stated, “Vikings fans wishing they still had JJ McCarthy right about now." A fan pointed out, “J.J McCarthy isn’t anything special, but moving him for nothing to keep Carson Wentz is a fireable offense”.

The Vikings cannot turn back the clock, but they can still look for still for another QB before the trade deadline.

Minnesota needs to trade for another QB if they want to compete for the playoffs

The franchise traded JJ McCarthy, whom it had drafted in the 1^st round three years earlier, with the hope that he could become its franchise QB. However, things didn’t go according to plan, and the Michigan Alum was out the door by his 3^rd NFL season. He now plies his trade with the New York Giants, where he is getting some meaningful playing time and valuable experience.

Over in Minnesota, the Vikings are struggling to find a dependable QB. They signed Kyler Murray on a vet minimum deal, and he gradually grew into the role. However, he has been nothing more than adequate, failing to consistently impress fans with his mediocre play. He then suffered a hamstring injury before the Bills game, opening the door for Carson Wentz, who couldn’t have delivered a worse performance.

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There isn’t much depth in that QB room. No QB is good enough, and this is hurting their chances to make the playoffs. Poor offense is wasting the potential of one of the best defenses in the league.

The Vikings have the 2nd-best defense in the NFL, averaging only 280 yards a game and have only allowed 11 TDs so far. They urgently need their offense to deliver, and it would only happen if they have a dependable QB.

The trade deadline is at 4 P.M. ET on Tuesday, November 11. So, which QB could come through the door before then?

There aren’t many great options available, but a few viable names could be in the mix, including Kirk Cousins and Daniel Jones. Both QBs have previously played for Minnesota, which could make it easier to get them up to speed. They are familiar with Kevin McConnel’s offense. The biggest stumbling block would be the compensation their respective teams demand. Neither Cousins nor Jones is a guaranteed starter, and parting ways with either QB may not significantly hurt the Raiders or the Colts.

If neither option materializes, Geno Smith could be another possibility. Mac Jones is an intriguing option. He has spent the past two years in San Francisco and has established himself as a sturdy and reliable backup. The possibility of him competing for the starting role could make this move enticing for him. There are also similarities between Shanahan’s and McConnel’s offenses, which could help make the transition smoother.

However, the most audacious move the Vikings could make before the deadline could be a blockbuster trade for Justin Herbert. Things haven’t gone according to plan for the Oregon Alum in Los Angeles this season, and a new environment and offense could potentially provide a fresh start. That said, the Chargers are highly unlikely to trade him in the middle of the season, and it would take a substantial amount of draft capital for them to even consider an offer.