Vikings Offered 3 First-Round Picks in Trade for J.J. McCarthy Alternative: Report
The Minnesota Vikings are nearly a season and a half into the J.J. McCarthy experience, and they still know just a minimal amount about him, as the second-year quarterback has played only eight quarters of regular-season NFL football.
But before McCarthy hurt his knee in August 2024, which caused him to miss his entire rookie year, and before he suffered a high ankle sprain in Week 2 that has sidelined him for the past three games of this season, the Vikings believed they knew enough of McCarthy and the rest of the QB class of 2024 to pursue Drake Maye out of North Carolina.
The New England Patriots held the No. 3 pick in that draft, while the Vikings started with No. 11. Albert Breer of Sports Illustrated reported on Tuesday, October 14, that Minnesota offered three first-round picks to the Patriots in order to move up and draft Maye as their QB of the future.
“The Vikings offered the Patriots the 11th pick, the 23rd pick and their 2025 first-round pick (along with Day 3 pick swaps that favored Minnesota) to go up eight spots to No. 3 and get Maye,” Breer wrote. “In the Vikings scenario, [the Patriots] could’ve gotten McCarthy or [Bo] Nix. And ultimately, they decided that Maye was better than those quarterbacks and the combination of draft capital they would’ve gotten after taking one of the other guys.”
Vikings Non-Committal About Bringing J.J. McCarthy Back Into Starting Lineup Over Carson Wentz
GettyQuarterback Drake Maye of the New England Patriots
Minnesota couldn’t have gone much stronger after Maye, given the draft capital the team had at its disposal at the time.
The Vikings’ interest in Maye and the team’s apparent reticence to insert McCarthy back into the lineup despite a full month to heal an ankle sprain begs real questions about how much rope the 22-year-old signal-caller actually has in Kevin O’Connell’s offense.
“I don’t necessarily want to put a percentage on where I think [McCarthy’s] at health-wise, O’Connell said during a media session October 13. “We’ve got to prepare to try to win a game on Sunday, and Carson [Wentz] as well, working with his left shoulder. He’ll practice as well. But we really want to get our team ready to go. And in the process of doing that, J.J. has his plan of attack that we want to try to make sure we maximize every single day and prepare all of our guys to be ready to go and make the best decision for our team.”
Wentz is 2-1 since taking over for McCarthy, while McCarthy started his season 1-1 before the injury.
Drake Maye Playing Like One of Best QBs in NFL Through 6 Games This Season
GettyNew England Patriots quarterback Drake Maye.
Meanwhile, Maye battled through a tough rookie season on a bad Patriots team, earning a 3-9 record while producing 2,276 passing yards, 15 TDs and 10 INTs across 13 appearances.
New England made big changes to the coaching staff, hiring Mike Vrabel to run the show this offseason, and things have changed quickly for Maye and the franchise.
Maye is 4-2 through six games in 2025. He has completed more than 73 percent of his passes for 1,522 yards, 10 TDs and 2 INTs. Meanwhile, the Patriots are leading the AFC East Division after Maye and company bested the Buffalo Bills on the road a couple of weeks back.
Ashton Jeanty Fires Back: ‘Chiefs Are Just Another Team – We’re Coming for Them’
Las Vegas, Nev. — In the world of the NFL, few rivalries are as heated and storied as the one between the Las Vegas Raiders and the Kansas City Chiefs. But in a bold statement ahead of their upcoming matchup, rookie running back Ashton Jeanty made it clear that he’s not intimidated by the Chiefs’ dominance over the AFC West — in fact, he’s ready to take them down.
In an exclusive interview, Jeanty fired shots at the Chiefs, brushing off their intimidating reputation. “To be honest, it’s just another game,” Jeanty said, adding that he’s not afraid of the challenge.
For many, the Chiefs have been the gold standard of the AFC. With quarterback Patrick Mahomes leading the way, they’ve dominated the division for years. But Jeanty, who has steadily been establishing himself as one of the most promising rookies in the league, seems unfazed by the weight of the matchup. He’s not buying into the Chiefs' mystique.
As the Raiders prepare for this high-stakes game, Jeanty’s words will surely add fuel to the fire. His brash, almost cocky confidence is in stark contrast to the usual underdog mentality the Raiders have had to embrace in recent seasons. The rookie, however, believes that his team is ready for greatness — and that the Chiefs are just another hurdle standing in their way.
“They’re just another team in the way,” Jeanty continued. “This is our time. We’re going to hit them hard and let them know we’re not afraid to take the crown.”
Ashton Jeanty’s rise within the Raiders’ offense has been swift. After slowly finding his rhythm, he’s become a key piece of the team’s success. His confidence has been a major factor in the Raiders’ recent offensive surge, and now, with the Chiefs on the horizon, Jeanty is prepared to prove that he’s more than just a rookie — he’s a future star.
The Raiders know they’re facing a formidable opponent in Kansas City. But Jeanty’s unwavering self-belief is infectious. He’s ready to back up his words with action, and the Raiders will be counting on him to lead the charge as they look to knock off the AFC’s perennial contender.
It’s a rivalry game, but for Jeanty, it’s all business. The Chiefs may have ruled the division for years, but the young running back is making it clear that the Raiders are coming for the throne.
