Rumored Vikings QB Move Could Spell Early End of J.J. McCarthy Tenure
The Minnesota Vikings have a serious issue under center and trading for a veteran QB may be the only answer.
J.J. McCarthy remains injured with a high ankle sprain he suffered in Week 2, which has cost him five games and counting. Backup Carson Wentz has a banged up left shoulder (non-throwing) and is 2-2 in four starts with five touchdowns and four interceptions.
Minnesota is playing on a short week and will take on the Los Angeles Chargers in L.A. on “Thursday Night Football,” which means the team may need to turn to 24-year-old undrafted rookie Max Brosmer as the starter, or potentially as an early substitute for Wentz if he plays poorly to open the contest.
None of that can feel good for a Vikings squad that went 14-3 under Sam Darnold last season and has a similarly talented defense and set of skill-position players in 2025, with a revamped offensive line that has suffered myriad injuries through the first half of the campaign.
As such, Mike Florio of Pro Football Talk on Tuesday, October 21 pitched a reunion trade with the Atlanta Falcons for QB Kirk Cousins.
“With two weeks left until the trade deadline arrives, could the Vikings pull the rip cord on the Kirk Cousins emergency option?” Florio wrote. “While the Falcons possibly have a diminished appetite to trade Cousins now that starter Michael Penix Jr. is day-to-day with a bone bruise, the Vikings presumably would get through Thursday night’s game at the Chargers and the following Sunday’s visit to the Lions before making a final decision in the two remaining days before the time for 2025 trades ends.”
Kirk Cousins Makes Sense as Multi-Year Backup QB Plan for Vikings
GettyQuarterback Kirk Cousins of the Atlanta Falcons.
The relevant questions are what bringing Cousins back to Minnesota means for McCarthy longterm, and are those ramifications something with which the Vikings are willing to deal?
Minnesota moved on from Cousins ahead of the 2024 season because of the money he was demanding/could demand, proven by the Falcons’ willingness to pay him $180 million over four years. But circumstances are different now.
Cousins is 37 years old and will turn 38 just ahead of the 2026 season. He is familiar with head coach Kevin O’Connell’s system and with several players still on the roster. If the Vikings traded for Cousins that wouldn’t necessarily mean they’d have to keep him beyond this season, but doing so may be the most logical decision.
Cousins has been better than Wentz over their respective careers and has vastly more experience in Minnesota. He also stated publicly that he enjoyed living in the area, and it is clear from his Pro Football Reference page that Cousins had his greatest success with the Vikings.
Meanwhile, McCarthy missed his entire rookie campaign with knee injury. He played poorly in seven of eight quarters to start this season and has now missed another five games with the ankle issue. Minnesota appears in no rush to move back to McCarthy, despite Wentz’s struggles, which is a statement in and of itself.
Trading for Kirk Cousins Could Signal Beginning of the End for J.J. McCarthy as Vikings’ Long-Term Plan at QB
GettyQuarterback J.J. McCarthy of the Minnesota Vikings.
Even if the team still prioritizes the 22-year-old McCarthy, which it certainly will once he is healthy, having Cousins as the No. 2 guy gives Minnesota back the security it had before allowing Darnold (5-2 with the Seahawks) and Daniel Jones (6-1 with Indianapolis) to walk in free agency.
And if McCarthy can’t stay healthy and/or doesn’t work out over the next year and a half, Cousins gives the team a viable option that raises its floor over that stretch — likely all the way back to a playoff-caliber team given the talent across the rest of the roster.
That would allow the Vikings to look at other quarterback options, potentially in the draft or via a trade for a guy like Colts backup Anthony Richardson come next offseason to create multiple opportunities to hit on a young QB.
None of those outcomes bode well for McCarthy’s future in Minnesota, and it would all start with a Vikings trade to reunite with Cousins. But the NFL is about the now, the clichéd question: What have you done for me lately?
The Vikings handed McCarthy the keys to a Ferrari, which he drove into a ditch during his first two weeks on the wheel and hurt himself in the process. The time to plan for the eventuality that he ends up a bust, or simply that he’s not durable enough to survive at the professional level, has arguably already arrived.
Cousins is the team’s best shot to do something about that now, and moving on that could signal the beginning of the end for McCarthy as the Vikings’ longterm plan at quarterback. But, in fairness, it’s an end that could be coming sooner than later anyway, regardless of whether Cousins returns or not.
Dylan Efron Reveals Painful Neck Injury While Competing on DWTS
Dylan Efron isn’t letting pain slow him down on “Dancing with the Stars.” The “Traitors” alum, dancing alongside professional partner Daniella Karagach, impressed judges with their “Wicked Night” rumba despite battling a painful neck injury. Following the October 21 episode, Efron opened up to Parade about the physical struggle that nearly derailed his rehearsals and how he’s managing through the intense pace of the competition.
Efron Opens Up About the Injury
Efron revealed that he “threw out my neck a couple [of] days ago,” explaining that the injury made it especially difficult to practice the rumba’s numerous spins. “It’s not good for learning spins,” he admitted, with Karagach agreeing emphatically, “At all.” The pain became most noticeable when Efron woke up in the mornings, when he said he “couldn’t turn [his] head.”
The actor and athlete’s candid comments showed how much physical endurance is required behind the glitter of “DWTS.” Spins and turns demand not only precision and balance but also fluid movement from the neck and shoulders — something his injury made nearly impossible. Even so, Efron pushed through the discomfort to ensure he could keep up with Karagach’s choreography and meet the judges’ expectations. His determination mirrored the work ethic that’s made him one of the more disciplined contestants of Season 34.
Recovery Routine & the Physical Toll of the Show
To manage the pain and prevent it from worsening, Efron revealed that he’s been soaking in Epsom salt baths every night while focusing on rest and recovery. “Just trying to take care of myself,” he said, acknowledging that self-care has become essential as the season progresses. According to
Efron admitted that this week had been “a bit of a break” from the show’s more grueling rehearsals, though his neck injury brought a different kind of challenge. Still, he stayed committed to training with Karagach, adapting their rehearsals to avoid aggravating his condition.
Dancing Through the Pain
Despite his ongoing discomfort, Efron’s performance showed no sign of struggle. He and Karagach earned rave reviews from the judges, scoring straight eights for their “Wicked Night” rumba. Fans quickly praised Efron online for his resilience and drive, calling his ability to perform through pain both inspiring and impressive.
Efron’s perseverance reflects the physical and emotional intensity of “Dancing with the Stars.” While the neck injury tested his limits, it also highlighted his dedication to the process. As the competition heats up, Efron’s ability to balance recovery with performance may prove to be one of his biggest strengths — proving that no setback can stop him from giving his all on the dance floor.
