What can 2025 Vikings rookies expect from McCarthy during their three to four days together? Well, we saw last week that JJ is back up above his former playing weight, at about 215 pounds. We’ve also been told that the University of Michigan alum is 100% recovered from his season-ending meniscus surgery in 2024.

Minnesota Vikings tight end TJ Hockenson loves what he is seeing from JJ McCarthy

And if you believe what MN Vikings tight end TJ Hockenson told Chris Long on the Green Light Podcast, the ball is springing out of JJ McCarthy’s hands right now, in a way that reminds him of former teammate, and two-time Pro Bowler, Matthew Stafford. Currently QB1 of the Los Angeles Rams, Stafford and Hockenson both started their NFL careers together with the Detroit Lions.

#Vikings TE TJ Hockenson says JJ McCarthy’s throws remind him of Matt Stafford’s:

“I remember catching passes from Staff (Matt Stafford)… it zips on you, looks like it’s not coming, but it’s coming. JJ has the juice behind it where it kind of has that effect.”

🎥: @greenlight… pic.twitter.com/zHvJxmdopD

— VikingzFanPage (@vikingzfanpage) May 6, 2025

“[JJ McCarthy]’s got a sick arm. I told him this the other day. I remember catching passes from [Matt Stafford], it was one of those balls that it just zips on you, you know? It looks like it’s not coming, but it’s coming. JJ’s got the juice behind it, where it kind of has that effect. It doesn’t look like it’s coming because of that tight spiral, but it’s coming.It’s humming in the air. He’s got an insane talent, arm talent. And really, the personality that he has goes really well and I think that he’s going to have a long career.”

TJ Hockenson – Green Light Podcast with Chris Long

Depending on where you look, there are a handful of different NFL quarterbacks who are seen as having one of the strongest arms in the NFL, and Matthew Stafford has been on that shortlist since the moment he entered the league.

Related: Minnesota Vikings Zeroing in on the NFL Draft They Want to Host

If that’s the QB who comes to mind when McCarthy is throwing TJ Hockenson passes, that’s an extremely good sign for Minnesota Vikings fans. Not only has Stafford been in the NFL for 16 years, but he is one of the most accomplished quarterbacks of this era, tossing for nearly 60,000 yards and 377 touchdowns.

We can only hope that McCarthy winds up being the type of NFL QB Stafford already is. But without a doubt, McCarthy’s teammates and coaches with the Minnesota Vikings clearly believe he is something special. Now, we just need to see him prove it on the field.

JJ McCarthy’s arm reportedly “reminds” TJ Hockenson (Vikings TE) of Matthew Stafford (Rams QB).

McCarthy is reportedly going to be in the “best football shape” of his career by training camp and is ready to take over as the QB1 in Minnesota.

Multiple NFL scouts reportedly… pic.twitter.com/KHecjVs0K9

— NFL Rookie Watch (@NFLRookieWatxh) May 6, 2025

Those rumors claimed the Vikings were in deep trade talks with the LA Rams, trying to land Matthew Stafford before the November 5 trade deadline. Naturally, this left a lot of fans scratching their heads and asking questions, trying to make sense of it all.

Vikings insider shuts down trade rumors

Something felt off about these rumors. Sure, they were coming from accounts with decent followings, Jack Settleman from Snapback Sports has over 50,000 followers on Twitter, and Jake Ellenbogen from Downtown Rams is sitting at 25,000. But none of the big-time accounts or well-known Vikings writers were saying anything about it.

Until Wednesday, when Vikings insider Ben Goessling finally took to Twitter with his own reporting, which found zero validity in Tuesday’s rumor.

Checking in on the Matthew Stafford-to-the-Vikings rumors I’ve been getting lots of questions about. Source said there’s zero truth to the idea the Vikings are trying to trade for him.

— Ben Goessling (@BenGoessling) October 23, 2024

Goessling is one of the most trusted voices when it comes to covering the Minnesota Vikings. If he’s shutting down the Stafford-to-Minnesota rumors, it means that nobody close to the Vikings or Stafford was willing or able to confirm these supposed trade talks.

The Vikings are set to face off against Stafford, and the 2-4 Los Angeles Rams, tomorrow night. If Minnesota pulls off the win, they’ll bump up to 6-1 while the Rams drop to 2-5. A loss like that could push the Rams into selling mode, ahead of the deadline in a couple weeks.

Related: Minnesota Vikings Shopping Young Cornerback

There were already some rumors floating around that superstar WR Cooper Kupp could be available for a trade too. So, if the Rams decide to sell at the deadline, could Stafford end up on the Vikings or another team? Maybe, but as of now, nothing’s in the works, so don’t get your hopes up.

According to some reports out of non-traditional media outlets across the internet today, Minnesota and Los Angeles are also in serious talks about a possible trade involving Matthew Stafford. This is something that was floated by Mike Florio about two weeks ago, but there may be more validity than you’d normally expect.

Minnesota Vikings trying to trade for Matthew Stafford?

First off, there have been two non-traditional outlets who have now reported the same thing. One of them (Jack Settleman – Snapback Sports) has over 50,000 followers on Twitter, the other (Jake Ellenbogen – Downtown Rams) is over 25,000.

What does that mean? Nothing, really. We’ll find out in due time if these rumors are legitimized by guys like Adam Schefter, Ian Rapoport, Tom Pelissero or local Vikings insiders.

SOURCES: The Vikings and Rams are in serious trade talks for Matthew Stafford.

Minnesota made a push to trade for Stafford this offseason but are now revisiting with the idea that he can be the piece to help them win a Super Bowl this season. pic.twitter.com/K9fHC0QPg7

— JACK SETTLEMAN (@jacksettleman) October 22, 2024

I can actually say that I've heard the #Rams do have interest in Sam Darnold as an option to succeed Matthew Stafford. That is something I've been told. We'll see what happens. My feeling is the Rams have to look AWFUL on Thursday and then lose to the Seahawks for this to happen https://t.co/fgrlMjDHK2

— JAKE ELLENBOGEN (@JKBOGEN) October 22, 2024

But there was one report earlier on Tuesday that suddenly make these Matthew Stafford rumors, at least eyebrow raising. This morning, Darren “Doogie” Wolfson reported on SKOR North with Mackey & Judd that, at some point before the November 5 trade deadline, he expects the Minnesota Vikings to pull off some sort of blockbuster.

Vikings expected to make big splash at NFL trade deadline

Is that blockbuster a trade for Matthew Stafford…? If you listen to Doogie’s report, he believes the trade will bring in a defensive player. But still, the timing of both reports certainly has my antennas up.

Judd: “November 5th, how big do you think the splash could be?”

Doogie: “I think it could be pretty big. Yeah, I do Judd.”

Mackey & Judd – SKOR North

Related: Los Angeles Rams Injury Tracker – Week 8

It would still be a huge shock if the Minnesota Vikings swing a deal for someone like Matt Stafford. And it would be pretty much impossible for a deal between the Rams and Vikings to happen before Thursday… since they play each other.

But if Kevin O’Connell (AKA: The QB Killer) has made the decision that Sam Darnold is not good enough to bring the Vikings to a Super Bowl, and he thinks that is all they are missing, it wouldn’t be crazy for them to swing for Stafford. His contract isn’t up until 2027, with a possible out after 2026. But if the Vikings throw in Sam Darnold, which you’d think they would, I can’t imagine it would cost more than a day 2 or 3 pick.

Related: Minnesota Vikings Seriously Considering a Move to Dalton Risner

On the season, Matt Stafford has thrown for 1,392 yards, 3 touchdowns and 4 interceptions. His completion percentage is 66.7%. Those numbers are not as impressive as Sam Darnold’s 1,370 yards, 12 touchdowns and 5 interceptions (66.5%).

Vikings are giving up on Sam Darnold is wild…the guy is playing at an MVP level right now…

Vikings literally lost to the best team in the NFC and ready to make changes?

No loyalty lol https://t.co/fXSS2kVlfh

— Dez Bryant (@DezBryant) October 22, 2024