The Vikings are reportedly souring on J.J. McCarthy, while the Colts' plan to tag Alec Pierce may hit a snag amid Jones' contract dispute.
www.essentiallysports.com
The Minnesota Vikings are quietly exploring an exit strategy for 2024 first-round pick J.J. McCarthy, according to multiple league sources. That’s just one of several league-shaking rumors emerging from the Combine, where contract standoffs and planned spending sprees are setting the stage for a chaotic offseason.
The consensus opinion here at the Combine is that the
Vikings are in the market for a new starting quarterback. In fact, a source tells me the team is really down on quarterback J.J. McCarthy and is ready to move on from their 2024 first-round pick. The team will bring in another signal caller to compete and eventually replace McCarthy.
Speculation about the quarterback’s future with the organization has been rampant since the end of the season, his second disappointing year with the Vikings.
After a rookie season spent on injured reserve, he played in just 10 games in 2025 after dealing with a high-ankle sprain and other ailments. He completed under 60% of his passes and threw 11 TDs and 12 interceptions.
Update on Warren McClendon Jr.
The
Los Angeles Rams continue to express an interest in signing right tackle Warren McClendon Jr. to a contract extension, though it may take a little longer than expected. Sources tell me that the organization has to make a decision on
Matthew Stafford, whose contract runs through the 2026 season, like McClendon, before coming up with something firm for their fifth-round pick from the 2023 draft.
The Rams need to be careful. If they wait too long, McClendon could cost them a lot more money because his value and appeal to other teams will take off, assuming he has a good season in 2026.
