The Minnesota Vikings face a crucial quarterback decision between Sam Darnold and J.J. McCarthy heading into the 2025 season.
The Vikings selected McCarthy with the No. 10 pick in the 2024 draft after letting Kirk Cousins depart in free agency. McCarthy’s season-ending knee injury forced Darnold, signed to a one-year deal, into the starting role.
Darnold responded with his best NFL season, leading Minnesota to a 14-2 record while posting career-high numbers.
John Middlekauff of 3 and Out questioned McCarthy’s readiness to lead an NFL offense.
You’re going to depend on a player who was on a dominant college football team. And he was not tasked with, ‘Hey, bro, this is going to be one of those games where the defense is playing like s—, and we’re going to need 35 points. And I know we got Justin Jefferson and Jordan Addison, but you’re going to have to carry us. You’re going to have to make throws, blitzes, third-and-longs, stuff like that. Buckle up, buttercup.’
He’s never had to do that. And not saying that he can’t because he can learn to. But like, they’re going to come in next season with goals of… they were just competing to be the number one overall seed. And now it’s like, ‘Oh, we’re just cool with, what, winning nine games.’
Hell no. You have a team that is ready-made to just be competitive. And that’s a lot of pressure to put on a player who’s never started an NFL game.
– John Middlekauff
McCarthy led Michigan to a national championship in 2023, completing 72.3% of his passes for 2,991 yards, 22 touchdowns and four interceptions.
In Michigan’s title game victory over Washington, McCarthy threw for 140 yards while the running game produced 303 yards.
McCarthy hasn’t taken an NFL snap after his rookie season injury, leaving questions about his ability to lead a veteran offense.
The Vikings’ choice between Darnold and McCarthy could impact their championship window with receivers Justin Jefferson and Jordan Addison.
