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MINNEAPOLIS, MINNESOTA – JANUARY 04: Head coach Kevin O’Connell of the Minnesota Vikings looks on during the third quarter against the Green Bay Packers at U.S. Bank Stadium on January 04, 2026 in Minneapolis, Minnesota. (Photo by David Berding/Getty Images)
The Minnesota Vikings seem to be set on finding a new quarterback to, at the very least provide some quality insurance to, or competition for current franchise signal caller, J.J. McCarthy.
The names up until now have all been of similar elk: Kirk Cousins, Kyler Murray, Mac Jones and Malik Willis, and they have all popped up on numerous occasions in Vikings trade rumors.
But according to Todd McShay, another quarterback that could be targeted for a possible future trade is none other than Houston Texans QB C.J. Stroud, who despite leading the Texans to their third straight playoff berth received substantial criticism for his poor performance in the Divisional Round of the playoffs against the New England Patriots.
So in this hypothetical trade proposal, the Vikings make a big swing and trade for a player who just two short years ago was widely regarded as one of the most valuable assets in the entire National Football League, and in doing so find what they hope to be their next franchise quarterback.
Vikings Could Be Amongst Teams Looking at CJ Stroud Trade
“I’m told, don’t be surprised if in the next couple of weeks, as we get closer and closer to free agency – there is going to be some big-name quarterbacks that are currently in destinations that have contracts that are going to be targeted… CJ Stroud is a name, does he need a new scenery?” McShay said on his podcast, The McVay Show.
“Clearly something is going on, I don’t know if it’s Houston-related or personal-related or whatever it is.” McShay continued. “Stroud hasn’t been the guy the last two years in Houston that he was in his rookie year. And so some people are looking at that and saying…‘can we get that rookie year out of Stroud here?’”
There are no confirmations of the Texans looking to trade Stroud as of yet, nor of any current active trade negotiations, but McShay – who is well connected in NFL circles – believes a trade for Stroud could end up transpiring this offseason.
Why the Vikings Make Sense For a Stroud Trade Destination
Kevin O’Connell is considered by many to be one of the best offensive minds in the NFL, and one of the top coaches who can coax out the best possible performances from elite talents. Whilst he did not quite manage to do that with McCarthy this past season, the former Michigan man is also nowhere near the natural talent that Stroud is.
Stroud has been running for his life ever since he came into the league, as the Texans continue to struggle to put together a functioning offensive line. Put him into a stable offensive unit with big-time playmakers like Justin Jefferson and Jordan Addison, a solid O-line and a competent run game with Aaron Jones and Jordan Mason, and the need for him to constantly play hero ball on-the-run dramatically decreases.
The Vikings seem increasingly unsure about McCarthy’s future with the organization, and Houston may also be feeling unsure about their own future with Stroud after two down years. Especially now that the team will have to start extension conversations sooner rather than later, given that he will be eligible for one this coming offseason.
So a parting of ways could be mutually beneficial. Minnesota move for on a talented QB, whilst the Texans get another signal caller asset in return – McCarthy – alongside a pick haul that can help them build a championship level offense to put alongside their already #1 ranked total defense from last season.
Minnesota Vikings receive: C.J. Stroud
Houston Texans receive: J.J. McCarthy, #18 pick in 2026, 2027 first round pick
Daniel Arwas Daniel Arwas is a sports writer who covers the NFL for Heavy.com. Daniel began his career in sports writing in 2022 and has covered the NFL and college football for Gridiron Heroics and The Hammer. More about Daniel Arwas
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