After exceeding expectations with a 14-3 record, contending for the NFC’s top seed, and securing a playoff berth, the Minnesota Vikings face a crucial offseason. One analyst suggested the Vikings plan to let Sam Darnold walk, add a veteran quarterback, and keep J.J. McCarthy on the bench for another year.
They caught the entire league off guard after being projected to finish last in their division. Now, the biggest decision looming for the organization is what to do at quarterback.
Are the Vikings prepared to open their checkbook for Sam Darnold or will they part ways with him after just one season? Alternatively, will they sign a veteran quarterback to help mentor J.J. McCarthy or let the young rising sophomore showcase what he’s capable of?
Should Sam Darnold Stay or Should He Go?
Darnold’s tenure with the Vikings was a successful one … for the most part. He recorded his best career numbers, showed a ton of consistency, and had a knack for big wins. He also benefitted from having the best roster around him, including arguably the game’s best wideout in Justin Jefferson.
Darnold was so successful and beloved by his teammates that after a dominant Week 17 performance that resulted in a win against division rival Green Bay, he was showered with applause and love by his teammates.
However, after two disastrous performances in the season’s biggest games — including a staggering nine sacks in the Wild Card loss to the Los Angeles Rams — serious doubts have emerged about whether the Vikings should bring him back.
“First Things First” commentator Nick Wright predicted Minnesota will move off Darnold, sign a veteran QB, and allow McCarthy another year to develop. He believes that if it’s not for re-walking Brett Favre’s entire on-field career path, the Vikings make the most sense for where Aaron Rodgers might end up.
“I hope you don’t get mad at me Wayne… Aaron Rodgers was good in the Super Bowl when he was there, but NFC Title games, a lot of pressure on you, he’s been bad.”@Chris_Broussard breaks down where he wants to see AR next: pic.twitter.com/akiJVYRZey
— First Things First (@FTFonFS1) February 17, 2025
According to PFSN’s QB+ metric, Darnold was the 12th-best quarterback this past season with a 79.0 (B) grade. Meanwhile, Rodgers was the 21st-ranked quarterback with a 72.2 (C-) grade.
The potential changes within the Vikings’ quarterback landscape represent a calculated gamble. Head coach Kevin O’Connell is the reigning Coach of the Year, and expectations for next season will be through the roof.
The Vikings Should Start J.J. McCarthy Right Away
The Vikings should not let McCarthy sit for another year — they need to get him on the field and start his development immediately. Look no further than what Jayden Daniels accomplished in Washington this past season.
McCarthy comes from a winning program at Michigan, where he won a College Football Playoff National Championship, demonstrated an incredible amount of poise, and showed the ability to perform under pressure.
Minnesota’s current roster is built to win now, with playmakers like Justin Jefferson, Jordan Addison, and T.J. Hockenson. If McCarthy sits for a year, the team risks wasting a season of their prime years.
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McCarthy displayed a lot of potential in the preseason, showcasing why Minnesota selected him 10th overall. However, after suffering a torn meniscus, Darnold was thrust into the starting role before the season started.
The best way for McCarthy to grow into an NFL-caliber quarterback is through live game reps, not by sitting on the sidelines. His mobility and decision-making could add a dynamic element to the Vikings’ offense, and the longer he waits, the longer it takes for the Vikings to find out if he is truly their franchise quarterback.
Can Aaron Rodgers Thrive in Vikings Purple and Gold?
The potential decision to allow McCarthy additional time to develop would highlight a cautious approach by the Vikings. After a year that saw so much success, Vikings fans and players alike don’t have the patience to wait around; they will be yearning for a deeper run.
Rodgers is a future Hall of Famer and could provide invaluable guidance to McCarthy. His experience in high-pressure situations, combined with his ability to read defenses, makes him an ideal mentor for a young quarterback like Brett Favre was for him.
McCarthy has also drawn comparisons to Rodgers in terms of mobility and arm talent and would benefit from learning behind one of the best to ever play the position. His presence could also give the Vikings a legitimate shot at contending in 2025 while McCarthy develops.
However, the New York Jets got just five wins from Rodgers in two seasons, so the question that Minnesota’s top brass has to figure out if they go this route is whether Rodgers can reach the mountaintop again.
If the Vikings bid Darnold farewell and potentially invest a ton of money into a veteran quarterback like Rodgers for one year, it will delay McCarthy’s ascension. One thing is clear: The Vikings’ aren’t going to sit back and let the chips fall where they may, they are charting a course toward building on last year’s strong season and have hopes of making a championship run.