Sam Darnold’s successful run with the Minnesota Vikings this season has sparked an intriguing quarterback situation for the franchise.
After signing with the team, Darnold stepped into the starting role following J.J. McCarthy’s season-ending knee injury during the preseason.
Though Darnold has exceeded expectations, the Vikings appear steadfast in their long-term vision of McCarthy taking the reins in 2025.
Recent insights from Dianna Russini of The Athletic shed light on Minnesota’s quarterback plans.
“The Vikings ‘could decide to keep’ QB Sam Darnold this offseason but only if ‘he’s willing to be a backup,’ per Dianna Russini. It’s clear that this is J.J. McCarthy’s team in 2025 no matter what happens,” The Purple Persuasion wrote on X.
The #Vikings “could decide to keep” QB Sam Darnold this offseason but only if “he’s willing to be a backup”, per @DMRussini.
It’s clear that this is J.J. McCarthy’s team in 2025 no matter what happens. pic.twitter.com/5xrAWzv1P1
— The Purple Persuasion (@TPPSkol) November 23, 2024
McCarthy’s rookie campaign took an unfortunate turn when he suffered a severe knee injury in Minnesota’s opening preseason game.
However, the setback has allowed him to focus on development while Darnold has guided the team to an impressive 8-2 record and second place in the NFC North.
Despite Darnold’s strong performance potentially warranting a contract extension, the Vikings’ first-round investment in McCarthy wasn’t just about talent. It was a strategic move to capitalize on the financial advantages of a rookie quarterback deal.
Extending Darnold and keeping McCarthy sidelined through 2025 would limit Minnesota’s ability to strengthen other positions.
The Vikings experienced similar constraints during the Kirk Cousins era.
As the season progresses and the offseason looms, the Vikings face a crucial decision: Stick to their original plan with McCarthy or risk repeating past patterns with Darnold.
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