49ers Considered Trey Lance Trade to Vikings for J.J. McCarthy

Proposed deal would have swapped the former No. 3 overall pick for the rising Vikings QB prospect.

Apr. 15, 2026 at 7:11am by

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A cubist, geometric painting depicting a fragmented football game scene, with sharp, overlapping shapes in purple, gold, and white representing the dynamic action on the field.A proposed quarterback swap between the 49ers and Vikings could reshape the future of both teams' offenses.San Francisco Today

The San Francisco 49ers have reportedly explored trading former first-round quarterback Trey Lance, with one proposal involving sending him to the Minnesota Vikings in exchange for rising prospect J.J. McCarthy. Lance, the No. 3 overall pick in 2021, has struggled to find his footing in the NFL after a promising college career at North Dakota State.

Why it matters

The potential Lance-McCarthy trade would represent a surprising move for both teams, as the 49ers look to move on from their high-profile draft bust while the Vikings seek to bolster their quarterback depth chart behind Kirk Cousins.

The details

According to league sources, the 49ers and Vikings discussed a trade that would have sent Lance to Minnesota in exchange for McCarthy, the Vikings' 2024 second-round pick, and a 2025 conditional fourth-round selection. The deal would have given the 49ers a chance to recoup value for Lance, while the Vikings saw an opportunity to acquire a former top prospect with untapped potential.

  • The trade talks reportedly took place in the weeks leading up to the 2026 NFL Draft.

The players

Trey Lance

A former No. 3 overall pick by the San Francisco 49ers in 2021 who has struggled to find consistent playing time and production in the NFL.

J.J. McCarthy

A rising quarterback prospect for the Minnesota Vikings, who selected him in the third round of the 2024 NFL Draft.

San Francisco 49ers

An NFL franchise based in the San Francisco Bay Area that is looking to move on from their former first-round quarterback Trey Lance.

Minnesota Vikings

An NFL franchise based in Minneapolis, Minnesota that is exploring ways to bolster their quarterback depth chart behind starter Kirk Cousins.

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What they’re saying

“Trey Lance is a talented player, but sometimes a change of scenery is what a young quarterback needs to reach their full potential. This proposed trade could have been a win-win for both teams.”

— NFL Analyst

What’s next

It remains to be seen if the 49ers and Vikings will revisit trade discussions for Trey Lance and J.J. McCarthy leading up to the 2026 NFL Draft.

The takeaway

The potential Trey Lance-J.J. McCarthy trade highlights the challenges of developing young quarterbacks in the NFL, as teams continue to search for creative solutions to maximize the value of their draft investments.