The Minnesota Vikings’ quarterback situation continues to be uncertain.
There have been mixed reports throughout the course of the entire offseason.
And while it seemed like Sam Darnold was a lock to get the nod, that might not be the case anymore.
According to a report by Dan Graziano of ESPN, the quarterback outlook is fluid (Via The Purple Persuasion).
Per @DanGrazianoESPN, “it is not decided that [Sam] Darnold will open the season as the starter” & that J.J. McCarthy could if he hits the “specific developmental benchmarks” over these next few weeks.
He also noted that McCarthy is making a “strong impression on teammates.” pic.twitter.com/P08LJ6GGNj
— The Purple Persuasion (@TPPSkol) August 10, 2024
Darnold has an edge now, but J.J. McCarthy has reportedly made ‘a strong impression’ among his teammates, and he could still get the nod if he hits certain development benchmarks in the next couple of weeks.
McCarthy was deemed to be one of the most NFL-ready prospects in the class, but he had reportedly looked very raw earlier in the offseason.
Darnold, on the other hand, gave the team a solid security blanket if McCarthy wasn’t ready.
Kevin O’Connell and the Vikings’ decision-makers clearly liked what he saw from him.
Otherwise, they wouldn’t have jumped the gun to sign him so early in the offseason, let alone give him $10 million a year.
The Vikings could do a whole lot worse than to have Sam Darnold as their starting quarterback, but they also knew that, barring a major turn of events, he was nothing more than a stopgap at the position.
The jury is still out on JJ McCarthy, whose numbers were far from impressive in college, but who also was at his best when it mattered the most for the Wolverines.
Whether he’ll get the nod or not, we shall see.
