The Minnesota Vikings face a crucial quarterback decision after Sam Darnold’s unexpected success in 2024. Darnold, who led the Vikings to a 14-3 record – their best since 1998 – stepped in after first-round pick J.J. McCarthy missed the season with a meniscus injury.
Darnold enters free agency in March. Spotrac projects his market value at $40.1 million per year.
The Vikings must choose between signing Darnold long-term or turning to McCarthy, the No. 10 overall pick who hasn’t taken an NFL snap.
Minnesota currently holds just four picks in the 2025 draft after trading away their second- and fourth-round selections last year.
Yardbarker’s Seth Trachtman suggests the Vikings could trade McCarthy to the New York Jets.
“McCarthy effectively had a redshirt year after missing his rookie season due to injury and might have lost the starting job in Minnesota after Sam Darnold’s fine season,” Trachtman wrote. “If Minnesota retains Darnold, they could look to cash in on their 2024 first-rounder. The Jets are among the teams desperate for a quarterback with a weak 2025 draft class after the Aaron Rodgers debacle.”
The Jets, under new head coach Aaron Glenn, need a quarterback after Rodgers’ likely departure. A McCarthy trade could provide the Vikings with needed draft capital.
Rodgers hasn’t announced whether he’ll retire or seek another team, with the Vikings remaining a possible destination.
