” 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\/samdmon.jpg” data-large-file=”https:\/\/vikingsterritory.com\/cdn-cgi\/image\/width=1180,height=674,fit=crop,quality=80,format=auto,onerror=redirect,metadata=none\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/12\/samdmon.jpg”> If you happen to be in the \u201cStart J.J. McCarthy in 2025\u201d camp of Minnesota Vikings football, get ready to hold the minority opinion.<\/p>\n The purple team has a 14-2 record<\/a> entering the regular season\u2019s final week, and Darnold\u2019s 36 touchdowns have propelled Minnesota to the brink of homefield advantage throughout the postseason. If the Vikings win next Sunday night at the Detroit Lions, they\u2019ll own the No. 1 seed for the first time since 1998.<\/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\/samatsea.jpg” data-large-file=”https:\/\/vikingsterritory.com\/cdn-cgi\/image\/width=1180,height=639,fit=crop,quality=80,format=auto,onerror=redirect,metadata=none\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/12\/samatsea.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\/samatsea.jpg” alt> And as recently as a month or so ago, keeping Sam Darnold in 2025 and beyond was the fringe<\/em> opinion. Last April, Minnesota drafted J.J. McCarthy to eventually take the reins of QB1, but a torn meniscus canceled that plan, at least in 2024. So, Darnold took over, and most expected him to play decently. He responded by performing otherworldly, at least by Vikings\u2019 standards.<\/p>\n So, with the NFL playoffs 12 days away, the NFL masses, plus a healthy faction of Vikings fans, have decided that keeping Darnold indefinitely \u2014 no matter the cost \u2014 is the wisest route. <\/p>\n The Draft <\/em>Network<\/em>\u2018s<\/span> Justin Melo was the latest to endorse Darnold for the 2025 Vikings. He wrote Monday<\/a>, \u201cMcCarthy should continue to sit and learn while the Vikings attempt to maximize a Super Bowl window Darnold has cracked open for them. There\u2019s nothing wrong with McCarthy biding his time.\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\/08\/jjmcamph.jpg” data-large-file=”https:\/\/vikingsterritory.com\/cdn-cgi\/image\/width=1180,height=720,fit=crop,quality=80,format=auto,onerror=redirect,metadata=none\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/08\/jjmcamph.jpg” src=”https:\/\/vikingsterritory.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/08\/jjmcamph-788×481.jpg” alt=”QB debate” > \u201cSome of today\u2019s best NFL quarterbacks, Patrick Mahomes and Jordan Love included, sat and waited for their opportunity. Rookie quarterbacks rarely hit the ground running nowadays. We\u2019ve seen high picks like Bryce Young and Anthony Richardson take their bumps and bruises when placed under pressure immediately. Sitting can be extremely beneficial.\u201d<\/p>\n Retaining Darnold in the Twin Cities would be great \u2014 if Minnesota\u2019s front office can find $40 million. That money, in theory, was on tap to be spent on free agents in March, not an expensive quarterback. In fact, purple fans just spent six seasons debating about a spendy quarterback in Kirk Cousins, and it now seems they\u2019re content with doing it all over again.<\/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\/USATSI_25049681.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\/12\/USATSI_25049681.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\/USATSI_25049681.jpg” alt> \u201cDarnold should be the Vikings\u2019 quarterback in 2025. He\u2019s gone from a short-term bridge-type solution to a franchise signal-caller. His form has complicated McCarthy\u2019s timeline, but the rookie quarterback remains on a cost-controlled contract for four additional years after this one. The Vikings should be patient while taking an annual approach to the situation, starting by bringing Darnold back next season,\u201d Melo added.<\/p>\n Melo isn\u2019t alone, either.<\/p>\n Former Vikings general manager Rick Spielman spread the keep-Darnold opinion two weeks ago. \u201cIf I was Minnesota, why wouldn\u2019t you keep Sam Darnold? Why not do a potential bridge deal like a Baker Mayfield? Three years, $100 million deal?\u201d\u00a0Spielman said<\/a>\u00a0on the\u00a0With the First Pick<\/em>\u00a0podcast.<\/p>\n Spielman mentioned about McCarthy, who tore his meniscus in August, canceling his entire rookie season: \u201cHe\u2019s a rookie. He\u2019s going to start over from scratch. He didn\u2019t do anything this year. He\u2019s not practicing. He\u2019s sitting in meetings. He\u2019s rehabbing. He hasn\u2019t done one thing since that surgery except rehab throw the ball on the side, maybe. But he\u2019s not practicing, so you\u2019re starting from square one with him.\u201d<\/p>\n This debate will turn white-hot the moment Minnesota\u2019s season ends.<\/p>\n Spielman concluded, \u201cLook at what Green Bay did with Jordan Love. Look at what Green Bay did with Brett Favre. If you count next year, his rookie year, Patrick Mahomes sat behind Alex Smith. So if I sit him for two years, why not?\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\/08\/factoidmccarthy.jpg” data-large-file=”https:\/\/vikingsterritory.com\/cdn-cgi\/image\/width=1180,height=618,fit=crop,quality=80,format=auto,onerror=redirect,metadata=none\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/08\/factoidmccarthy.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\/factoidmccarthy.jpg” alt> Of course, few will care about the quarterback decision if the Vikings win the Super Bowl. Fans will enjoy a honeymoon period that could last months, if not years.<\/p>\n Otherwise, Minnesota will have a grand choice between Darnold and McCarthy, and as of Week 18 of the regular season, the tide has turned in favor of Darnold. <\/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>\nThe Vikings QB Debate \u2026 Has Flipped<\/h4>\n
Dec 22, 2024; Seattle, Washington, USA; Minnesota Vikings quarterback Sam Darnold (14) participates in pregame warmups against the Seattle Seahawks at Lumen Field. Mandatory Credit: Joe Nicholson-Imagn Images.<\/p>\n
Aug 3, 2024; Eagan, MN, USA; Minnesota Vikings quarterback J.J. McCarthy (9) warms up during practice at Vikings training camp in Eagan, MN. Mandatory Credit: Jeffrey Becker-USA TODAY Sports.<\/p>\n
Dec 22, 2024; Seattle, Washington, USA; Minnesota Vikings quarterback Sam Darnold (14) passes the ball against the Seattle Seahawks during the second half at Lumen Field. Mandatory Credit: Steven Bisig-Imagn Images<\/p>\n
Aug 10, 2024; Minneapolis, Minnesota, USA; Minnesota Vikings quarterback J.J. McCarthy (9) under center against the Las Vegas Raiders in the third quarter at U.S. Bank Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Brad Rempel-USA TODAY Sports.<\/p>\n
\n![\"Football](\"https:\/\/vikingsterritory.com\/cdn-cgi\/image\/width=428,height=241,fit=crop,quality=80,format=auto,onerror=redirect,metadata=none\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/12\/USATSI_25081855.jpg\")
<\/a><\/p>\n<\/div>\n
\n
\n
\n
\n
\n