Should the Chargers Go After J.J. McCarthy?

Per Kevin Seifert of ESPN, McCarthy split second-team reps with Carson Wentz during the Vikings’ practice session on Tuesday.

This led Florio to surmise that McCarthy could be left off Minnesota’s final 53-man roster prior to Week 1 of the NFL regular season.

“McCarthy, who fell to No. 2 in the days before the preseason opener, has not performed well in a pair of exhibition games,” Florio wrote. “He continues to have accuracy issues, and he continues to overuse his fastball when making throws.

“Wentz was a capable backup in 2025 for the Vikings, despite not signing until late August. With a full offseason, training camp, and preseason in the system, Wentz would be in even better position to fill in for Murray, if necessary.

“With Max Brosmer also on the roster, McCarthy could be in danger of not being on the roster by Sunday, when the rosters reduce to 53.

“… Ultimately, the Vikings may have to simply waive McCarthy.”

This could be a developing situation the Chargers will want to take advantage of.

Should the Chargers do it?

There was a time not too long ago when the Vikings seemed to believe in McCarthy, who was the No. 10 pick in the 2024 draft. Even after he missed all of the 2024 season with a meniscus injury, they stuck with him, to the point of not showing interest in Aaron Rodgers last offseason when the future Hall of Famer wanted to join them.

McCarthy threw for 1,632 yards, 11 touchdowns and 12 interceptions while completing 57.6% of his pass attempts last year. His NFL debut was sensational, as he led Minnesota to a thrilling come-from-behind win over the Chicago Bears, but he struggled for most of the rest of the season while also dealing with an ankle injury and a concussion.

What makes McCarthy intriguing for some Chargers fans is the fact that he played for Bolts head coach Jim Harbaugh at the University of Michigan and led the school to a win in the College Football Playoff National Championship to conclude the 2023 season.

However, the run-heavy system Harbaugh ran at the time with the Wolverines may be no more. Under new offensive coordinator Mike McDaniel, Los Angeles is expected to play with more pace, rhythm and motion, and it isn’t a system that just any quarterback can thrive in.

Florio noted that the Vikings would likely try to trade McCarthy should he become their odd man out. If that is the case, it may not be worth it for the Chargers to give up capital for him. But if he gets released, perhaps it would be worth it for them to give him a shot.

With the way Trey Lance, their QB2 last year, has failed to show progress, they may have nothing to lose by bringing in McCarthy, if they don’t have to give up anything to get him.