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The Minnesota Vikings, who traded 23-year-old J.J. McCarthy to the Giants for a measly 2027 fifth-round pick earlier this season, gave up a third-rounder in ‘27 to the Las Vegas Raiders on Tuesday to reunite with Kirk Cousins.
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The Vikings, with perhaps the top defense in the NFL, were forced into the move prior to Tuesday’s 4 p.m. trade deadline after their quarterback situation — an issue all season — bottomed out in Monday night’s home loss to the Buffalo Bills.
With Kyler Murray out with a hamstring injury, head coach Kevin O’Connell turned to Carson Wentz and the results were catastrophic, as Wentz went 8-for-25 for just 81 yards, no touchdowns and a pair of interceptions.
As the possibility of wasting coordinator Brian Flores’ defense — as well as a season of star receiver Justin Jefferson’s prime — grew, the Vikings were left little choice but to try to upgrade at QB.
But there weren’t many intriguing options available.
The Vikings were also linked to ex-Giant Daniel Jones, who has struggled with the Colts this season, after he spent time in Minnesota following his release by the Giants two years ago.
Instead, the Vikings turned to the 38-year-old Cousins, who played six seasons in Minnesota from 2018-23.
Cousins then went to the Atlanta Falcons for two years before taking over in Las Vegas this season, with top pick Fernando Mendoza waiting to assume the starting job.
Bringing in Cousins raises questions about why O’Connell and the Vikings gave up on McCarthy so quickly after drafting him 10th overall out of Michigan in 2024.
McCarthy missed his rookie season with a torn meniscus in his right knee and was limited to just 10 games a year ago due to other injuries.
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He lost out to Murray for the starting job in training camp this season and ended up as the third-string quarterback, behind Wentz, following the preseason.
That led to McCarthy being shipped to the Giants on Sept. 28 after the Giants lost Jaxson Dart for the season with a left knee injury.
McCarthy, 23, has led the Giants to wins in both of his starts with the team since taking over for Jameis Winston, although Winston sparked the lone Giants’ touchdown drive in Sunday’s win over the Eagles in Philadelphia after McCarthy briefly left the game with a hip injury.
So instead of McCarthy, the 6-2 Vikings will hope Cousins, who had the Raiders at 4-5 and with losses in five of their last six games, can save their season.
