The Minnesota Vikings had one of the most interesting drafts in the entire league this past April.
There were rumors that they were exploring the possibility of trading star wide receiver Justin Jefferson as part of a package to move up in the first-round.
According to reports, the Vikings had their eye on fellow LSU Tiger receiver Malik Nabers.
Assuming the reports are true, Minnesota would have gladly swapped Jefferson for Nabers (and other assets) and march forward without having to pay Jefferson an enormous contract extension.
However, the Vikings were never offered a deal that truly swept them off their feet. They decided to forget about the whole Nabers plan.
Of course, they ended up dishing out the richest non-quarterback deal in NFL history last week to Jefferson.
It’s possible that the rumors were completely false.
Of course, the Vikings have denied them. But it’s fair to wonder if they would have pulled the trigger if offered a strong enough deal.
The end result is Jefferson will remain in Minnesota where he will be a very, very rich #1 receiver.
With four-time Pro Bowl quarterback Kirk Cousins now in Atlanta, the question is who will be throwing Jefferson the ball come Sunday’s this fall?
The Vikings traded up to the #10 spot where they drafted Michigan quarterback J.J. McCarthy.
Fresh off an undefeated national championship season with the Wolverines, McCarthy became the darling of multiple teams as the draft drew closer.
McCarthy has steadily improved throughout the offseason.
Of course, there is only so much you can evaluate in pre-training camp workouts, but so far, so good for McCarthy.
While McCarthy is the quarterback of the future for the Vikings, that certainly doesn’t mean he’ll be starting right off the bat.
As a matter of fact, Sam Darnold is considered the frontrunner for the starting job.
Darnold signed a one-year, $10 million contract with Minnesota before the draft.
While it seems like he’s been in the league forever, the fact of the matter is Darnold just turned 27-years-old.
Entering his seventh NFL season, Darnold has never been dealt the fairest of shakes going back to when the New York Jets drafted him third-overall back in 2018 when they were in the height of their toxic dysfunction.
Darnold has a golden opportunity to resurrect his NFL career and prove that he can be a legitimate starter in the league.
Meanwhile, the Vikings seem dead-set on taking a patient approach with McCarthy.
“They want to take this slow,” Alec Lewis of The Athletic reported.
“To help him develop confidence. To allow him to try throws, make mistakes and learn. Head coach Kevin O’Connell and his staff believe that’s the best path to long-term success, and everyone seems on board.”
While McCarthy has been getting third-string reps during practices, Darnold has been leading the charge, backed up by veteran Nick Mullens.
Additionally, the Vikings have Jaren Hall, a 2023 fifth-round pick, on the offseason roster at the quarterback position.
The sentiment within the Vikings organization has been consistent since the draft … While McCarthy shows promise as the future face of the franchise, the team prefers to develop him slowly.
With Darnold providing low-risk, high-reward insurance, the Vikings are keen on ensuring McCarthy’s readiness before thrusting him into the fire.
As reported by Kevin Seifert of ESPN back in May, the Vikings see Darnold as more than just a backup option.
He is viewed as someone they can compete with while McCarthy undergoes a developmental plan geared towards his long-term success.
“The Vikings don’t view Darnold simply as someone they can play if McCarthy isn’t ready for Week 1,” Seifert stated.
“It’s more accurate to understand him as a player the Vikings believe they can compete with as McCarthy moves through an organized developmental plan that prioritizes his long-term future.
“Does that mean the Vikings have ruled out McCarthy as their Week 1 starter? Of course not. But they want his ascension to be organic – based on his own aptitude and readiness – rather than forced by a lack of alternatives.”
What are your thoughts on the report that Darnold is considered the clear frontrunner for the starting job?
Do you agree that’s the best plan of attack? … Or are you a believer that throwing McCarthy “to the wolves” would be most effective for his development?
At the end of the day, who will be the Vikings starter come Week 1?
If it’s indeed Darnold, how long will he hold onto the starting job???