The Minnesota Vikings’ quarterback situation is starting to come into focus as the team heads toward free agency.
Last week, the Vikings decided not to franchise tag QB Sam Darnold, allowing the deadline to pass without securing him for the upcoming season.
Just moments ago, Darnold signed with the Seattle Seahawks, bringing an official end to his brief – yet explosive – tenure in Minnesota.
With Darnold now out of the picture, the path is now paved for 2024 first-round pick J.J. McCarthy, a former Michigan star who missed his rookie season due to a meniscus tear, to take over the reigns.
While McCarthy is still unproven at the NFL level, ESPN and Amazon Prime analyst Kirk Herbstreit believes the young quarterback could take the Vikings’ offense to new heights.
“You never know with quarterbacks, but watching these guys and watching the intangibles, putting [head coach Kevin O’Connell] with JJ McCarthy and the talent on that roster, to me, the Vikings go to another level with JJ McCarthy,” Herbstreit said on The Pat McAfee Show.
O’Connell, entering his fourth season as head coach of the Vikings, is known for his ability to develop quarterbacks.
In 2022, under O’Connell’s guidance, former Minnesota QB Kirk Cousins (now with the Atlanta Falcons) threw for 4,547 yards in 17 games, marking the second-most passing yards in Cousins’ career.
In 2024, Darnold had a career year, throwing for 35 touchdown passes – a personal best. Over his first six seasons with the New York Jets, Carolina Panthers, and San Francisco 49ers, Darnold never surpassed 19 touchdown passes in a season.
The Vikings also have star wide receiver Justin Jefferson, who continued to shine in 2024. The four-time Pro Bowler caught 103 passes for 1,533 yards and 10 touchdowns across 17 games.
In the 2024 NFL Draft, Minnesota selected McCarthy with the 10th overall pick. The 2023 national champion from Michigan could be primed for success in the NFL, with the Vikings coming off a strong 14-3 season in 2024.
With rumors of Aaron Rodgers being an option for the Vikings, Herbstreit has made it clear that he believes the McCarthy-era in Minnesota should start now.
What are your thoughts on Herbstreit’s comments? … Should the Vikings turn to McCarthy? Or should they bring in Rodgers and have J.J. wait an extra year or two???
