Here we go! Anonymous GM - McCarthy wants out
New Report Suggests J.J. McCarthy Wants Out of Minnesota, Questions His Maturity
Can we believe the report? It comes from a reputable industry name, although the anonymous nature of the claims leaves it up for debate.
There have been hundreds of general managers in the history of the NFL, so we'll never know which one recently talked about J.J. McCarthy with NFL reporter Jason La Canfora.
La Canfora, the former NFL Network and CBS Sports insider who now writes for SportsBoom, cited an anonymous GM who believes McCarthy would like to be traded by the Minnesota Vikings.
"I think he wants out of there," the GM allegedly told La Canfora. "I think he's wanted out of there since they signed (Kyler) Murray. Those personalities are not going to be a good fit."
La Canfora also claims league executives "cautioned" that the "dynamic" between Murray and McCarthy "would be fraught with peril." Why? As La Canfora put it, McCarthy is "accustomed to getting all the real reps and attention" from head coach Kevin O'Connell.
That sounds a bit immature on McCarthy's part, doesn't it?
According to La Canfora's sources, maturity is part of the problem. He wrote: "McCarthy flamed out in esteemed head coach Kevin O’Connell’s offense last year and also had some issues with his maturity and [demeanor] behind the scenes, according to league sources."
If you're keeping track, La Canfora and his sources claim:
1. McCarthy wants to be traded
2. McCarthy will essentially be jealous of the attention Murray gets
3.The Vikings have had issues with McCarthy's maturity behind the scenes
Sheesh. That's a rough report for McCarthy, who has been in the national media doghouse since providing an honest answer about his relationship with Murray last week.
"It's just like two guys in a classroom," McCarthy said last week during Vikings OTAs. "He sits on one side. I sit on the other side. And it's the coaches' responsibility to teach us and coach us. ... Awkwardness? It's just like the same feeling when you're in high school and there's another person on the other side of the room. That's just kind of how it is. I wouldn't say there's any awkwardness."
Murray and McCarthy are allegedly competing for the starting job, but logic screams otherwise. True skeptics wonder whether McCarthy is even the backup quarterback at this point. Carson Wentz could be the No. 2 QB by the time the regular season arrives, so McCarthy's place in the pecking order hasn't been clearly defined by Minnesota.
Perhaps McCarthy does want out. If so, the Vikings can't be in a rush to acquiesce to his desire because they need options in case Murray isn't back next season. Murray could play at an MVP level and leave as a free agent, or he could be a bust, forcing the Vikings to consider other options.
Wentz isn't a long-term option, so if Murray doesn't return in 2027, the Vikings will again be hunting for a franchise quarterback. McCarthy, if he's still on the team, could be an option along with targeting a prospect in the loaded 2027 NFL Draft or hoping someone like Mac Jones is available in free agency.
LIVE WELL ~ LOVE MUCH ~ LAUGH OFTEN
LaConfora is the national version of Doogie.
If either said the Sun was coming up tomorrow, I’d stock up on candles.
“Hell is empty and all the devils are here”
Shakespeare
“Hell is empty and all the devils are here”
Shakespeare
JustInTime wrote:
LaConfora is the national version of Doogie.
If either said the Sun was coming up tomorrow, I’d stock up on candles.
He was fired from CBS Sports and he was fired from a radio station in Baltimore. He's trying to stay relevant. The online X aggregators grab everything so you see stuff like this. 100% JJ isn't going to raise any kind of ruckus this year. Next year? Hard to say how things go down. But its June 2nd, the sports 24/7 pipeline needs its content.
I mean..... I told you guys last year that they were having issues and were questioning his readiness/ability in summer. And I told you about his maturity issues in the last few months. This kid is a backup QB at best in this league that's what I have been told.
Is this thing STILL on? | Skol Vikes! |
If another team would trade for JJM to be their starter, why would he not want to go there? I'm not sure why this is a story and I don't think JJM has the leverage to lead a mutiny against KO from the bench. So what are we talking about
If Teasley and KOC have similar thoughts about JJM.. like this guy ain't got it.... I would expect they will build him up and ship him out.
Wonder what Teasley thoughts are on Jalen Milroe??
Mike Olson wrote:
I mean..... I told you guys last year that they were having issues and were questioning his readiness/ability in summer. And I told you about his maturity issues in the last few months. This kid is a backup QB at best in this league that's what I have been told.
That could be right for sure, Mike. I just think a few of us on the board aren't convinced he's gotten enough game time to show what he can or can't do yet definitively. And the injuries on the offensive line were atrocious, which didn't always help in the evaluation. I mean Sam Darnold was probably told worse his first couple years....we just signed a QB that a team paid $50 million to get off their roster. There's Baker Mayfield. JJ's numbers are better than Josh Allen's first 10 games. Every time I mention he was 6-4 as a starter, no one has a counter. But at the same time he was the 5th QB taken in that Draft, so.....many teams passed on him. He might not be accurate enough to be a starter.
None of that means McCarthy is going to turn it around.....but to put the lid on the can already doesn't seem reasonable. And the players are big time behind him, it means something. I think we'll know about his time in Minnesota by March of next year, one way or the other.
StickierBuns wrote:
I think we'll know about his time in Minnesota by March of next year, one way or the other.
I think we'll all have a clear idea of what direction they'll go by end of season.
In the interim, the GM doesnt even know his way around the bldg yet and he aint trading the highest drafted QB in this franchises history w/out seeing for himself what he inherited at QB.
I would argue Teasley knows a hella lot more about Murray right now than JJM. And thats just because they played them twice a year.
It's weird as a fan, cause I am excited about the prospect of watching K1, but still holding out hope JJM has what it takes to lead this franchise for many years.
Hurry-up Vikings, we ain't getting any younger!
Mike Olson wrote:
I mean..... I told you guys last year that they were having issues and were questioning his readiness/ability in summer. And I told you about his maturity issues in the last few months. This kid is a backup QB at best in this league that's what I have been told.
Who told you? Some media nerd? I mean all we have to go by is Kevin O'Connell proclaimed him our franchise QB in 2024 after his meniscus injury. Said a lot of things they felt about him in 2024 are still true in 2025. Maybe some of those things that aren't were his maturity and readiness heading into the season... but that doesn't change the fact that KOC has said he's a franchise QB. I think he was frustrated with his maturity last year and knew at one point during the season he wasn't ready to run the full offense. But that doesn't mean he won't ever be. He might need a season of development this year to reach that potential. Seems like a dumb fan thing to shovel dirt on his grave after 10 starts...
I do not find anything in the article difficult to believe or big breaking news. By his interview he seems like someone who wants out. My first thought hearing him was wondering if he was purposely trying to force a trade. I also do not think the lack of maturity is news, he displayed it last year several times and this off season. I think it is the thing that has irked KOC the most. It is going to be a challenge for Teasley on how he choose to deal with it. Historically, GMs who have not drafted a QB and have no history with them, tend to not have any issues with moving on from them, so would not surprise me if Murray is clearly the starter and JJM does not show significant improvement if they move on sooner than later.
With the interview with McCarthy, I saw more frustration with being asked about Murray every other question instead of what he was doing to improve himself during the off season. The reporters were doing nothing more than goading him about Murray, expecting some negative responses which they could play on and they did.
If Murray does start at the beginning of the season and does have a good year with only a one-year deal, he'll probably leave and go to another team for a long-term deal and lots more money. He's here to revitalize his career and I don't see the Vikings mortgaging the farm for him.
As to McCarthy, I feel he's our quarterback for the next few years. He'll steadily improve and eventually grow up, then the Vikings might actually have a decent quarterback instead of a revolving door at the position.
What I’m seeing is
All of the NFL’s teams don’t want the Vikings to have a young franchise QB.
The Vikings have a strong spiritual foundation and when the Vikings landed Kyler, it gave the rest of the league a chance to get their karma good by the Vikings getting good to sometimes great QB play for a less amount of time with Murray.
I see that stack against McCarthy and it is a formidable task.
He needs support now more than ever.
Carson and Kyler grew up Viking fans so, this is a dream come true and their hearts are really in it.
Kyler’s style and height tells me he might have 4 to 5 years really good to great years available.
When his athletic reactions slow down he won’t be able to see the field like a taller passer.
Every player is one hit away but, it seems the smaller players can’t take as much.
Let’s just win some Super Bowls.
"Organizations fail young quarterbacks before young quarterbacks fail organizations"
The Whisperer
MAD GAINZ wrote:
Who told you? Some media nerd? I mean all we have to go by is Kevin O'Connell proclaimed him our franchise QB in 2024 after his meniscus injury. Said a lot of things they felt about him in 2024 are still true in 2025. Maybe some of those things that aren't were his maturity and readiness heading into the season... but that doesn't change the fact that KOC has said he's a franchise QB. I think he was frustrated with his maturity last year and knew at one point during the season he wasn't ready to run the full offense. But that doesn't mean he won't ever be. He might need a season of development this year to reach that potential. Seems like a dumb fan thing to shovel dirt on his grave after 10 starts...
Have some respect for Mike. He does have some inside access, he just chooses not to spill his gut with a reveal. Just a little respect, man.
Please God, just one Lombardi before I die.
Montana Tom wrote:
Have some respect for Mike. He does have some inside access, he just chooses not to spill his gut with a reveal. Just a little respect, man.
I respect Mike, just don't respect his take. Saying he's been told that JJ McCarthy is at best a backup QB in the NFL... it flies in the face of what we've heard publicly from KOC and his teammates saying they love his competitiveness and he's a sicko on the field.
If JJ McCarthy had been in the NFL for 5 years already and this is what we have, sure... we can say with much more confidence that he isn't a franchise QB... but he showed enough promise his rookie year for his HC to shower him with praise after his injury and call him a franchise QB. His teammates were completely behind him last year despite a rough start, injuries, and playing better in his last 5 starts. I don't agree with these wild takes on a guy when he has an opportunity to keep growing and developing (which from reports it's clear his footwork is much better this season and his touch is better).
Here we go again. La Canfora bases all of this on a conversation with a GM (real or imagined) who witnessed McCarthy's presser and decided that McCarthy's salty comments suggests "he wants out of there...I think he’s wanted out of there since they signed Murray. Those personalities are not going to be a good fit.”
Fair enough. Plenty of people heard that interview and said similar things. But there's a big difference between noting a QB might be upset about the situation he finds himself in, and wanting out of Minnesota. So this is not new information; it's not insider information; it's one man jumping to a grim conclusion based on comments we've already heard.
How long before Walters picks it up citing "inside sources."
"The further a society drifts from the truth, the more it will hate those who speak it”
MAD GAINZ wrote:
Who told you? Some media nerd? I mean all we have to go by is Kevin O'Connell proclaimed him our franchise QB in 2024 after his meniscus injury. Said a lot of things they felt about him in 2024 are still true in 2025. Maybe some of those things that aren't were his maturity and readiness heading into the season... but that doesn't change the fact that KOC has said he's a franchise QB. I think he was frustrated with his maturity last year and knew at one point during the season he wasn't ready to run the full offense. But that doesn't mean he won't ever be. He might need a season of development this year to reach that potential. Seems like a dumb fan thing to shovel dirt on his grave after 10 starts...
I live in a pretty plugged in area of the twin cities. There are a good amount of people that are in the same circles that know a lot of folks in the various sports teams here in MN.
I probably shouldn't even have said that.
Is this thing STILL on? | Skol Vikes! |
Mike Olson wrote:
I live in a pretty plugged in area of the twin cities. There are a good amount of people that are in the same circles that know a lot of folks in the various sports teams here in MN.
I probably shouldn't even have said that.
Honestly, you don't even need a "little birdie" to know the Vikings were not pleased with some of McCarthy's behavior last year. But to declare that after 10 starts and 4 injuries "this kid is a backup QB at best in this league" sounds like a fan take to me.
"The further a society drifts from the truth, the more it will hate those who speak it”
Hey, a little feistiness is good for a board now and then lol!
My spidey senses feel there is more behind the scenes with young JJM than what we've heard. But I dont think the team/player are on the precipice of some kinda break-up after just 10 starts.
Hoping the drama with the QB saga ends earlier in camp vs later and everyone's attention gets back to the field and football.
Lord knows what Teasley may do with all this QB drama he's inherited....He's a real wild card in this saga, he may not like either of em lol!
Hurry-up Vikings, we ain't getting any younger!
MaroonBells wrote:
Honestly, you don't even need a "little birdie" to know the Vikings were not pleased with some of McCarthy's behavior last year. But to declare that after 10 starts and 4 injuries "this kid is a backup QB at best in this league" sounds like a fan take to me.
Take it as you will. I can't name drop really or I would be ostracized. I guess I will just have to remain having "fan takes" which is perfectly fine with me. I don't need to be a big shot.
Is this thing STILL on? | Skol Vikes! |
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