Vikings linked to $180 million QB as Michigan’s J.J. McCarthy struggles originally appeared on The Sporting News
There have been conflicting reports coming out of the Minnesota Vikings’ training camp on former Michigan star J.J. McCarthy.
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The reality is, McCarthy has a chance of being an above-average quarterback. The issue, however, and something that Vikings fans might not want to hear, is that he’s coming off a tough injury.
The youngster might struggle a bit in what his real rookie season will be, and there’s no reason to be too concerned with that. Most rookies do, barring generational talents. Even then, some of them struggle at the highest level.
However, according to a recent report from Ben Goessling of the Star Tribune, it’s possible the Vikings could be looking to bring in a backup, or a quarterback who can compete for the starting job.
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“I think there is going to continue to be a hunt for an option there. We saw them do that three years ago with Nick Mullens — making the trade for him during the preseason — and he ends up becoming the No. 2 quarterback for the next three years,” Goessling said. “If they found something they liked that worked in a trade, I wouldn’t be surprised if they found a way to make something happen.”
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Perhaps the most intriguing name on the potential trade market, Kirk Cousins, was, of course, brought up.
“I don’t think it’s impossible,” Goessling replied. “There’s still a very good relationship between Kirk Cousins and Kevin O’Connell. They are still friends. They are still, I think, in contact at times.”
Bringing in Cousins to be a starter would be a bit questionable at this stage of his career, but if the Vikings believe that all they need him to be is a player like Sam Darnold was last year, at least in the aspect of going out there and just doing what’s needed, the former Michigan star could be in a strange position entering the year.