” data-medium-file=”https:\/\/vikingsterritory.com\/cdn-cgi\/image\/width=788,height=444,fit=crop,quality=80,format=auto,onerror=redirect,metadata=none\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/08\/raiddarn.jpg” data-large-file=”https:\/\/vikingsterritory.com\/cdn-cgi\/image\/width=1180,height=671,fit=crop,quality=80,format=auto,onerror=redirect,metadata=none\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/08\/raiddarn.jpg”> The Minnesota Vikings have an 11-2 record on the brink of Monday Night Football<\/em> against the Chicago Bears<\/a>, a marvelous so-far outcome in a season when the franchise was expected to win six or seven games, according to sportsbooks. <\/p>\n Quarterback Sam Darnold is playing so well that some have wondered \u201cwhat the Vikings will do with him\u201d when the 2025 offseason arrives. Minnesota drafted Michigan\u2019s J.J. McCarthy eight months ago as the quarterback of the future, but McCarthy\u2019s maiden voyage season fell on harsh times in August after a meniscus tear. He hit injured reserved, canceling his rookie year. <\/p>\n ” data-medium-file=”https:\/\/vikingsterritory.com\/cdn-cgi\/image\/width=788,height=444,fit=crop,quality=80,format=auto,onerror=redirect,metadata=none\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/12\/darnpump.jpg” data-large-file=”https:\/\/vikingsterritory.com\/cdn-cgi\/image\/width=1180,height=666,fit=crop,quality=80,format=auto,onerror=redirect,metadata=none\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/12\/darnpump.jpg” src=”https:\/\/vikingsterritory.com\/cdn-cgi\/image\/width=788,height=444,fit=crop,quality=80,format=auto,onerror=redirect,metadata=none\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/12\/darnpump.jpg” alt> So, almost naturally, because Darnold has balled out \u2014 he\u2019s on pace for roughly 4,300 passing yards, 38 total touchdowns, and 13 interceptions \u2014 a budding \u201cDarnold or McCarthy\u201d debate has emerged for 2025 and beyond.<\/p>\n And according to some prominent pundits and unnamed executives, the choice is clear: Minnesota will hand the QB1 baton to McCarthy while letting Darnold venture to a new team via free agency. The <\/em>Athletic<\/em>\u2018s<\/span> Jeff Howe opined last week. <\/p>\n ” data-medium-file=”https:\/\/vikingsterritory.com\/cdn-cgi\/image\/width=788,height=444,fit=crop,quality=80,format=auto,onerror=redirect,metadata=none\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/08\/presjjm.jpg” data-large-file=”https:\/\/vikingsterritory.com\/cdn-cgi\/image\/width=1180,height=695,fit=crop,quality=80,format=auto,onerror=redirect,metadata=none\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/08\/presjjm.jpg” src=”https:\/\/vikingsterritory.com\/cdn-cgi\/image\/width=788,height=444,fit=crop,quality=80,format=auto,onerror=redirect,metadata=none\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/08\/presjjm.jpg” alt=”vikings”> \u201cI think Darnold will get something in the middle of Kirk Cousins\u2019 four-year, $180 million deal and Baker Mayfield\u2019s three-year, $100 million pact. It would help his case if Sean McVay disciples Zac Robinson or Liam Coen got head-coaching jobs, considering Darnold\u2019s success with Kevin O\u2019Connell,\u201d he wrote<\/a>. <\/p>\n \u201cWhile I think there\u2019s a valid argument for keeping Darnold and the team\u2019s championship aspirations intact, it wouldn\u2019t be terrific asset management to bury McCarthy for another couple of years. I also think O\u2019Connell has done more than enough with his quarterbacks to believe there will be a smooth transition with McCarthy next season.\u201d<\/p>\n ” data-medium-file=”https:\/\/vikingsterritory.com\/cdn-cgi\/image\/width=788,height=444,fit=crop,quality=80,format=auto,onerror=redirect,metadata=none\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/10\/USATSI_24543111_168394844_lowres.jpg” data-large-file=”https:\/\/vikingsterritory.com\/cdn-cgi\/image\/width=1180,height=787,fit=crop,quality=80,format=auto,onerror=redirect,metadata=none\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/10\/USATSI_24543111_168394844_lowres.jpg” src=”https:\/\/vikingsterritory.com\/cdn-cgi\/image\/width=788,height=444,fit=crop,quality=80,format=auto,onerror=redirect,metadata=none\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/10\/USATSI_24543111_168394844_lowres.jpg” alt > Soon after, Mike Sando, also from The Athletic<\/em>, sought an anonymous executive<\/a> for thoughts on Darnold or McCarthy. \u201cMcCarthy is their guy. The talking heads think they are crazy to let Darnold go, but they don\u2019t have the same conviction on McCarthy as the Vikings do,\u201d the executive revealed.<\/p>\n Too, ESPN\u2019s Bill Barnwell opined<\/a> a week ago: \u201cAnd while it is thriving with Darnold under center, the defense has been the driving force for its victories, as the Vikings rank second in EPA per play on defense. They\u2019re 13th on offense. Would Adofo-Mensah prefer to stick with a low-cost solution at quarterback and invest to keep that defense playing at a high level? My guess is yes, but this puts the Vikings in an interesting position, one that could hurt Darnold in the long run. Likely 2025 starter:\u00a0McCarthy.\u201d<\/p>\n On the whole, this is a good problem for Minnesota \u2014 too many good quarterbacks to keep on the budget. In fact, at the moment, Minnesota employs Darnold, McCarthy, Brett Rypien, Daniel Jones, and Nick Mullens. Except for Rypien, all could start in the NFL (at least in a pinch for the latter two).<\/p>\n ” data-medium-file=”https:\/\/vikingsterritory.com\/cdn-cgi\/image\/width=788,height=444,fit=crop,quality=80,format=auto,onerror=redirect,metadata=none\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/08\/USATSI_23969424.jpg” data-large-file=”https:\/\/vikingsterritory.com\/cdn-cgi\/image\/width=1180,height=787,fit=crop,quality=80,format=auto,onerror=redirect,metadata=none\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/08\/USATSI_23969424.jpg” src=”https:\/\/vikingsterritory.com\/cdn-cgi\/image\/width=788,height=444,fit=crop,quality=80,format=auto,onerror=redirect,metadata=none\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/08\/USATSI_23969424.jpg” alt> If Minnesota re-upped with Darnold for $40+ million per year \u2014 that will be his asking price per his current production \u2014 it would be right back in the spot that some fans loathed for six years: paying a good-but-not-great quarterback big money while hoping to outfit the roster around a large quarterback contract.<\/p>\n That\u2019s probably why the decision feels like a no-brainer, at least according to Howe, Sando, and Barnwell, that McCarthy will get the nod, with Darnold taking his newfound QB1 play elsewhere.<\/p>\n Dustin Baker<\/em><\/a> is a political scientist who graduated from the University of Minnesota in 2007. Subscribe to his daily YouTube Channel, <\/em>VikesNow<\/em><\/a>. The show features guests, analysis, and opinion on all things related to the purple team, with 4-7 episodes per week. His Vikings obsession dates back to 1996. Listed guilty pleasures: Peanut Butter Ice Cream, \u2018The Sopranos,\u2019 Basset Hounds, and The Doors (the band). He follows the NBA as closely as the NFL.\u00a0<\/em><\/p>\n All statistics provided by <\/em>Pro Football Reference \/ Stathead<\/em><\/a>; all contractual information provided by <\/em>OverTheCap.com<\/em><\/a>.<\/em><\/p>\n<\/section>\n <\/main><\/p>\n<\/div>\nPundits Line Up with Future Vikings QB Predictions <\/h4>\n
Dec 8, 2024; Minneapolis, Minnesota, USA; Minnesota Vikings quarterback Sam Darnold (14) celebrates his touchdown to wide receiver Jordan Addison (3) during the fourth quarter against the Atlanta Falcons at U.S. Bank Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Matt Krohn-Imagn Images.<\/p>\n
Aug 10, 2024; Minneapolis, Minnesota, USA; Minnesota Vikings quarterback J.J. McCarthy (9) scrambles against the Las Vegas Raiders in the second quarter at U.S. Bank Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Brad Rempel-USA TODAY Sports.<\/p>\n
Oct 20, 2024; Minneapolis, Minnesota, USA; Minnesota Vikings quarterback Sam Darnold (14) throws a pass against the Detroit Lions during the first quarter at U.S. Bank Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Jeffrey Becker-Imagn Images<\/p>\n
Aug 10, 2024; Minneapolis, Minnesota, USA; Minnesota Vikings quarterback J.J. McCarthy (9) celebrates wide receiver Trent Sherfield Sr. (11) touchdown against the Las Vegas Raiders in the third quarter at U.S. Bank Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Brad Rempel-USA TODAY Sports.<\/p>\n
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