JJ McCarthy’s move to QB2 this month has kept an already familiar idea in circulation: a possible connection between the Minnesota Vikings and the Cleveland Browns. The demotion does not mean a deal is imminent, and the clearest read is still that any trade before Week 1 would be a longshot. But it does explain why Dillon Gabriel and the Browns keep coming up whenever the quarterback picture shifts.
Why McCarthy keeps showing up in Browns conversations
The idea is not new. As far back as March, the St. Paul Pioneer Press floated a potential JJ McCarthy-to-the-Browns trade. McCarthy was the No. 10 pick in the 2024 draft after leading Michigan to a national championship, but his rookie season was derailed by a knee injury. In 2025, he has 10 uninspiring starts, and the Vikings’ decision to move him to QB2 only revived the speculation.
That said, the Vikings are not pushing to trade him, and McCarthy is said to be content to play out the season in Minnesota. Adam Schefter said McCarthy is not looking for a trade and that Kevin O'Connell wants to keep him. He also noted that the more realistic time to revisit the situation would be in the offseason.
Where the Browns stand right now
The Browns have their own quarterback situation to sort out. In Berea, they have been in a competition between Deshaun Watson and Shedeur Sanders, but they have not seized the QB1 job or added another quarterback through trade or surprise signing. Saturday’s game against the Bears is scheduled for Deshaun Watson to start, and August 22 is scheduled for Shedeur Sanders to follow against the Bills.
That is why outside trade ideas have centered on a swap involving Dillon Gabriel or Sanders for McCarthy. A to Z Sports suggested that swapping Sanders for McCarthy could make sense for the Browns if they believe there is more to get out of the former first-round pick than there is with Sanders. It is an understandable thought exercise, but not one that appears close to becoming reality before the opener.
What happens next
For now, the simplest answer is that McCarthy is staying put, the Vikings are not trying to move him, and the Browns are continuing their own quarterback evaluation. Before Week 1, a trade remains a longshot. If the topic comes back, it is more likely to happen in the offseason, when both teams can reassess their quarterback plans with more time and more clarity.
