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Credit: @mnsportnews Instagram
The Super Bowl’s done, now. But some teams got into the ‘next season’ planning from January itself. Minnesota Vikings is one such team. Mainly their quarterback situation. You’ve got Kevin O’Connell dodging direct answers like he is on a poker table playing a game of bluff.
Sam Darnold is fresh off the best season of his career, and J.J. McCarthy sitting in the background, waiting for his shot. The big question? Will the Vikings commit to Darnold, or are they ready to pass the torch to McCarthy? Because right now, it feels like they’re keeping both options open until the very last second.
It has only been a couple of days since Kevin O’Connell went on The Dan Patrick Show and, in classic coach-speak fashion, and said the team is still “evaluating” its next steps. He praised McCarthy’s brief but promising stint before his injury, but also acknowledged Darnold’s rise. Translation? We like both guys, but we don’t know what we’re doing yet—or we’re just not telling you.
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But, then, we have got ESPN’s Minnesota-beat reporter Kevin Seifert. He just added another wrinkle, reporting that the Vikings are likely to let Darnold test free agency while using the franchise tag on CB Byron Murphy Jr. instead. If that holds up, Darnold might be on his way out.
Seifer said: “They seem more likely to let [Sam] Darnold sign elsewhere and preserve their tag for a player such as CB Byron Murphy Jr. It would give the Vikings time to sign Murphy to a longer-term deal while keeping him off the market.”
“The @Vikings seem more likely to let [Sam] Darnold sign elsewhere and preserve their tag for a player such as CB Byron Murphy Jr.”, per @SeifertESPN.
Seifert continues saying “it would give the Vikings time to sign Murphy to a longer-term deal while keeping him off the market”. pic.twitter.com/Nq3flA4VMu
— The Purple Persuasion (@TPPSkol) February 17, 2025
And here’s the thing: you can see why Minnesota is hesitant. On one hand, Darnold had a best career year—4,319 passing yards, 35 touchdowns, and the best deep-ball accuracy in the league on throws of 20+ yards. That’s not something you just walk away from. But on the other hand, do the Vikings really want to hand him a massive contract when they just drafted McCarthy 10th overall?
This isn’t a Kirk Cousins situation where there’s no clear replacement. They drafted McCarthy for a reason, and at some point, they need to see what they have in him. But then again, is JJ ready? The rookie barely got a chance to show what he could do before getting hurt. Sure, the front office is high on him, but potential is tricky. You don’t know what you have until you put it out there for an extended period.
If the Vikings go all-in on McCarthy and he struggles, they could find themselves scrambling for a quarterback in 2026—just like they were before landing Darnold. It’s like a never-ending loop. That’s not something O’Connell should be looking forward to… And he isn’t. During Super Bowl week, he straight-up said, “We drafted [J.J. McCarthy] 10th overall for a reason.”
No hard feelings, right? But if you’re Darnold, that doesn’t exactly scream commitment. Plus, with the Giants having an opening in New York to fill Daniel Jones’ shoes, and to be THE GUY… All things scream at #SamOUT.
Kevin O’Connell has a busy offseason ahead of him
J.J. McCarthy was supposed to be the guy, with Sam Darnold holding the clipboard. But football doesn’t do “simple.” McCarthy went down, Darnold stepped up, and now? The Vikings are stuck deciding between the hot hand and the hand-picked future. That’s not an easy call. So, what’s left for Kevin O’Connell? He has to navigate it like a two-minute drill with no timeouts.
For starters, McCarthy, to his credit, isn’t expecting a free pass. “All I can ask for is a fair opportunity,” he said on The Rich Eisen Show. He knows how the league works—things get complicated when money gets involved. Fair rep distribution doesn’t always happen, and contracts are more powerful than talent. But he’s not here for excuses.
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“I’m not getting any grace,” he admitted. “There’s no sympathy. This is the big leagues.” That’s the mentality you want from a young QB. But mentality doesn’t win games—execution does.
On the flip side, Darnold played the best football of his career in 2024. Career highs in yards, TDs, and deep-ball efficiency turned him from a backup into one of the most intriguing free agents on the market. If Minnesota wants to keep him, they’ll need to pay up. But that could cost ’em a cool $35 million hit for one year. So, the ‘iffy-ness’ around the whole situation is understandable.
However, the only concern with JJ is his readiness. Even Justin Jefferson is taking the “wait and see” approach. “Luckily, that ain’t my decision… I’m definitely looking forward to seeing what we’re going to do with Sam if we’re going to bring him back. Of course, J.J. is going to have his opportunity to make some plays and to see if he’s going to be the starter,” he told The Athletic.
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That’s a polite way of saying he’ll catch passes from whoever is under center. But for O’Connell, this isn’t just about 2025—it’s about setting the course for the franchise. Pick the wrong guy, and the Vikings risk wasting a season. Or worse, wasting Jefferson’s prime.
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Should the Vikings gamble on McCarthy's potential or stick with Darnold's proven performance?
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Should the Vikings gamble on McCarthy's potential or stick with Darnold's proven performance?
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