>> Would the Vikings trade J.J. McCarthy? Could the Vikings trade McCarthy? Should the Vikings trade McCarthy?

So much will depend on the health of his right knee, which has undergone two surgical procedures after a season-ending torn meniscus last August. The NFL trading period begins in March 12.

No team will trade for McCarthy, the No. 10 overall pick in last spring’s draft who turns 22 next week, until he receives full medical clearance. To trade McCarthy, the Vikings would have to be convinced that Darnold isn’t just the team’s short-term (franchise tag) answer but long-term answer. Currently, that’s unknown.

>> McCarthy’s four-year contract totals $21.9 million, including a $12.7 million signing bonus. Next spring’s quarterback draft is considered underwhelming. A lot of teams need a young franchise quarterback, including Tennessee, which has the No. 1 overall pick, and the Browns, who have No. 2 and the Giants, who have No. 3.

McCarthy could be worth at least a top-five pick in a trade. And because he’s already signed, he would be a lot cheaper for a team drafting within the top five this year.

>>The way it looks now, the Vikings have three QB options next season. 1) trade McCarthy; 2) franchise Darnold and retain him and McCarthy for one year; and 3) franchise Darnold for a trade and keep McCarthy.

A lot depends on how Darnold, who doesn’t turn 28 until next June, finishes in the playoffs. Franchising and then trading him would be worth at least one first-round draft pick for the Vikings, who presently have just a late first-rounder and two fifth-rounders.

>> Teams have put a franchise tag on players for the purpose of trading them. Last year, Kansas City franchised star cornerback L’Jarius Sneed but instead of signing him, traded him to Tennessee for a 2025 third-round draft pick.

>> Sometimes, plans change. For example, in 1998, when the Vikings went 15-1 (Randy Moss’ rookie year), their starting QB at the start of the season was Brad Johnson.

Johnson then broke a bone in his right leg and was replaced by Randall Cunningham, who had a career season. The Vikings figured Cunningham, even at age 35, could be their future and signed him to a five-year, 28 million contract, then traded Johnson, age 31, to Washington for first-, second- and third-round draft picks.

Meanwhile, in 1999, the Vikings drafted QB Daunte Culpepper with their first-round pick (No. 11 overall), then signed Jeff George as a backup.

In Cunningham’s second season with the Vikings, he regressed to the point that he was replaced by George the rest of the year.

>> It has been nine weeks since three arbiters were selected to settle the Timberwolves/Lynx ownership dispute. It still seems the only rational explanation as to why it’s dragged on is there’s a quiet attempt at a settlement among Glen Taylor, Alex Rodriguez and Marc Lore before the arbiters make a decision.

>> Ex-Twins outfielder Brent Rooker, 30, traded to the Padres two years ago then released, has signed a $60 million, five-year deal with the A’s.

>> Alumni and assorted boosters are pushing Ryan Saunders, the ex-Gopher who is an assistant for the Denver Nuggets, for the Gophers head job if there is a coaching change at season’s end.

>> It isn’t yet public, but Steve Walsh, the 11-year NFL quarterback and Hall of Fame Miami All-American hired to rebuild the Cretin-Derham Hall football program at his alma mater, won’t be back after three years coach but will continue as a major gifts officer. Walsh, a brilliant coach who has always been as winner, has high standards regarding what it takes to succeed on the football field and was looking forward to coaching his seniors next season. Apparently there was a difference of opinion.

>> If the Broncos’ Bo Nix and Commanders’ Jayden Daniels weren’t having outstanding seasons, former Gopher Bucky Irving would be in contention for NFL rookie of the year. Irving, who left the Gophers for Oregon, Tampa Bay has rushed for 1,122 yards and eight TDs on 207 carries for Tampa Bay.

.>> Kicker John Parker Romo, 27, who made 11 of 12 field goal tries with the Vikings this season, including a 55-yarder, ended up on the Patriots’ practice squad and last week signed a new contract.

>> Gus Tinucci, whose restaurant catering buffet lunch of ribs, beef and chicken for Vikings players made headlines 15 years ago after being disparaged by Randy Moss, asked if he had any thoughts on Moss’ recent health diagnosis: “God bless him!”

>> Ex-Viking Adam Thielen, 34, and playing his 11th NFL season, led the Carolina Panthers in receiving yards with 615 this season.

>> P.J. Fleck received a $50,000 bonus for coaching the Gophers past Virginia Tech in the Duke’s Mayo Bowl, where only a reported 31,027 fans showed up, the fewest in the bowl’s 23-year history, per the Charlotte Business Journal.

Overheard

>> Sam Darnold to NBC Sports NFL analyst Tony Dungy during warmups just before the Vikings’ 31-9 loss to the Lions: “I have great confidence in what I’m doing.”