Where could J.J. McCarthy wind up?
By: Jake Rajala
There is no secret: J.J. McCarthy was one of the worst quarterbacks last season. He had a PFF grade of 61.8, which was 35th out of 43 QBs. With that said, a change in scenery may be best for the former Michigan Wolverine. Hence, I’m going to lay out the best trade destinations for him.
Cleveland Browns
McCarthy is familiar with cold-weather games (as he played in Michigan in college), which are featured a lot in Cleveland. McCarthy could compete against Shedeur Sanders for the keys to the offense. Sanders was popular, but that didn’t translate to wins. The interesting part is that Shedeur is a year older than McCarthy.
Pittsburgh Steelers
The Steelers need to have a plan for when Aaron Rodgers retires, which most likely be in 2026 or after the 2026 season. McCarthy could compete against a 2027 rookie QB for the QB1 spot. Mason Rudolph hasn’t shown me something that says he’s the answer at QB long-term.
Los Angeles Rams
If there’s an offensive mind that can fix McCarthy, it’s Sean McVay. The man who starts the day off at 4 am is a genius. Matthew Stafford won MVP under him. McCarthy could fix his mechanics and gain some confidence and then potentially start when Stafford retires in 1-2 seasons.
Kansas City Chiefs
There is a realistic picture where Patrick Mahomes isn’t ready for Week 1. I’d like to see them have a sharp, talented QB2. I’d take McCarthy over Gardner Minshew, who went 2-7 with the Raiders in 2024. In his lone start last season, he threw six completions on 13 attempts, one interception, and zero touchdowns.
Indianapolis Colts
The Indianapolis Colts could very well retain Daniel Jones. However, he has struggled to stay healthy and consistent in moments of his career. He only played in 13 games last season, 10 games in 2024, and six games in 2023. The Colts just need a slightly talented QB with their impressive weapons to make magic happen. I don’t consider Philip Rivers a modest QB at this stage in his career.
New York Jets
If McCarthy improves the little things and has an alpha mentality, he could compete for the New York Jets starting QB spot in 2026. I expect the Jets to draft a QB early, which would be wise. We know Justin Fields isn’t the answer at QB for the NY Jets. He went 2-7 with the Jets last season.
Miami Dolphins
Tua Tagovailoa will most likely be shown the exit this offseason. The question is: what is his trade value? The Phins already cut Tyreek Hill on offense. They should start over from scratch at QB and WR. McCarthy may benefit from playing in the fine Miami weather. I still expect the Phins to draft a QB, regardless of a trade or signing at QB that the Phins make.
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