Browns Eyeing $21M NFC Quarterback in Trade

Cleveland reportedly interested in acquiring Vikings QB J.J. McCarthy to compete for starting job.

Mar. 21, 2026 at 9:56pm

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The Cleveland Browns are reportedly considering a trade for Minnesota Vikings quarterback J.J. McCarthy, who had a rough 2025 season and faces an uncertain future in Minnesota with the additions of Kyler Murray and Carson Wentz. The Browns are looking for a long-term solution at quarterback, and McCarthy could provide competition for current starter Shedeur Sanders.

Why it matters

The Browns have yet to solidify their quarterback position this offseason, and acquiring McCarthy could give them another young option to develop alongside Shedeur Sanders and Dillon Gabriel. With Deshaun Watson's future uncertain, the Browns need to find a reliable long-term answer at the position.

The details

According to reports, the Browns are interested in trading for Vikings QB J.J. McCarthy, who struggled in 2025 and now faces an uphill battle to earn the starting job in Minnesota with the additions of Kyler Murray and Carson Wentz. The 23-year-old McCarthy would have the chance to compete for the starting role in Cleveland, where the quarterback position remains unsettled.

  • The Browns have yet to add a quarterback to their roster this offseason.
  • McCarthy had a rough 2025 season with the Vikings.

The players

Shedeur Sanders

The Browns' current starting quarterback, who showed promise as a rookie in 2025 but has not solidified the job.

J.J. McCarthy

A 23-year-old quarterback for the Minnesota Vikings who is facing an uncertain future with the team after a disappointing 2025 season.

Deshaun Watson

The Browns' quarterback whose future with the team remains uncertain.

Dillon Gabriel

A quarterback who will provide competition for the Browns' starting job.

Kyler Murray

The quarterback recently acquired by the Vikings to compete with J.J. McCarthy for the starting job.

Carson Wentz

The veteran quarterback re-signed by the Vikings, who could also compete with J.J. McCarthy for the starting job.

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What they’re saying

“McCarthy still has a lot of upside and Cleveland needs a long-term solution at passer. Deshaun Watson will eventually go and neither Shedeur Sanders nor Dillon Gabriel have stepped up to take the reins.”

— Austen Bundy, FanSided Writer

What’s next

The Browns will need to determine if they are willing to part with the necessary assets to acquire J.J. McCarthy from the Vikings, and whether he would be a better long-term option than their current quarterback options.

The takeaway

The Browns' quarterback situation remains unsettled, and acquiring a young, talented player like J.J. McCarthy could provide them with a potential long-term solution at the position if he can regain his form from earlier in his career.