Expecting Super Bowl, Vikings’ Camryn Bynum Opens Up on JJ McCarthy & Sam Darnold’s Competition for the Starting Position

The Minnesota Vikings’ two new QBs have been impressive in the spring. This may be music to the ‘Skol’ as they went 3-6 last season following Kirk Cousins’ injury and finished third in the NFC North. Though Vikings HC Kevin O’Connell has already hinted at his QB 1 for Minnesota’s trip to the MetLife Stadium on September 8, Safety Camryn Bynum is struggling to place J.J. McCarthy or Sam Darnold over the other.

When the 25-year-old was asked about the QB competition, he said, “Having the two new quarterbacks, it’s fun being able to play against them and see what they bring to the table. They’re both looking really good.”

“It’s exciting to see them compete. They’re both looking good, so I can’t put one over the other. I just say they both look ready. Whatever coaches decide, I trust them and their decision,” said Bynum on NFL Network’s The Insiders. His opinion, though, may not be the same as Kevin O’Connell, Wes Phillips, or Josh McCown.

Currently, the trio are going with experience and are backing the third overall pick of the 2018 NFL Draft to be their starting QB in Gameweek 1. The Minnesota Vikings Head Coach said, “We haven’t had to put out a depth chart or anything like that, but I would say Sam would be the guy I would look to.”

Signing free agent Sam Darnold allowed the NFC North franchise to get a quarterback with NFL experience to lead the offense as their rookie QB phased into life in the professional game and gained comfort in the system. O’Connell believed Darnold grew in his season with the San Francisco 49ers and also praised him for playing with “a little bit more consistency.”

Regarding 21-year-old J.J. McCarthy, the coaches at Minnesota responded about what they would need to do to consider him as a starter in his first NFL season. O’Connell told Rich Eisen, “I think first and foremost, our job is to make sure we create the best possible learning environment every single day for JJ. And that’s how we teach, that’s how we install the offense, that’s how we coach the individual aspects of the quarterback position whether it’s the run game, the pass game reading coverage technique fundamentals.”

‘KOC’s decision to go for NFL experience rather than allowing a rookie to lead the line showcases the franchise’s long-term planning. The call, as of now, would also be a change for Darnold, who has not been the first choice in his last two NFL seasons. With just 26 touchdowns since leaving the Jets, Darnold will look to put in the work and prove a point if he leads the offense.

However, the decision is not final yet, with the competition potentially resulting in some thinking for the coaches over the next two months. QBs aside, the safety even praised the Vikings’ squad.

Camryn Bynum shows faith in the Minnesota team!

Cousins’ injury prevented the Vikings from entering the post-season for a second consecutive year, but Bynum does not just want a top 7 finish in the NFC. He firmly stated, “I expect a Super Bowl. Everybody says that, and everybody should say that.” Besides showing faith in the quarterbacks, Bynum expressed confidence in his team by highlighting the talent and experience in the locker room.

The Safety said, “You look at the offense. There’s a baller at every position when you look across the whole board. That’s why I’m confident when I say I expect us to be a Super Bowl team. But really, our preparation has to tell it all. You say that every year. Every team says that every year, but we have to put all these names and everything. We have to make it real.” It’s understandable why Bynum would say that, as a Super Bowl win would require franchises to be good on both sides of the ball.

The QB can drive the offense, dropping dimes and unleashing the likes of Justin Jefferson, T.J. Hockinson, and Jordan Addison onto the defenses. Jefferson, in particular, will be keen to justify his $140 million contract extension and cross the 1,000-yard mark in receptions for the fifth time in five regular seasons. Bynum’s comments also noted the depth, especially on the defense, and the abundance of skilled players, making it challenging to get everyone on the field.

Camryn Bynum will be joined on the other side of the ball by the likes of Josh Metellus, Ivan Pace Jr, Harrison Phillips, and Harrison Smith. Safety Metellus ended last regular season with 116 tackles (78/38). His output in his fourth NFL season saw him credited with 74 more tackles than his 2022 season. In his fifth season, he will be keen on incremental growth yet again.

Undrafted linebacker Ivan Pace Jr, who finished fourth for the Vikings in tackles last season, will be eager to deliver an encore. Meanwhile, 13-season veteran Harrison Smith would be eager to enter just his eighth playoff game. 

Whatever aspiration the Vikes have for 2024, it will largely be dependent on their quarterback’s performance. What do you make of Camryn Bynum’s words on his QBs and the Vikings’ hopes for 2024?