J.J. McCarthy is set to be the starting quarterback for the Minnesota Vikings during the 2025 NFL season. It is difficult to know what to expect from the team's first-round pick in the 2024 NFL Draft, but that hasn't stopped the media from guessing how he will perform.
There are naysayers like Colin Cowherd, and there are believers like Daunte Culpepper. The reality regarding how McCarthy will perform this year is likely somewhere in the middle, but it remains to be seen during the regular season.
The Vikings moved on from Kirk Cousins and Sam Darnold to hitch their wagon to McCarthy. Those bold decisions show the commitment Minnesota has made to the former University of Michigan quarterback.
There are some paranoid narratives in the media about Minnesota Vikings quarterback J.J. McCarthy.
Some people believe the Minnesota Vikings should have gone back to Darnold after a 14-win season and a playoff berth. When it was announced that he signed with the Seattle Seahawks as a free agent on a three-year, $100.5 million contract, some eyebrows were raised.
Fans of the purple and gold wondered why Darnold wouldn't return to the Vikings after rejuvenating his career in Minnesota. The reason for his decision is much clearer after a report from The Athletic cleared things up.
In the piece, Darnold explained his frustration with how last season ended. While it should be obvious about that disappointment, another part of the article sheds some light on why he won't be in a Vikings uniform in 2025.
"Darnold is running point for a new team now, thanks to the three-year, $100.5-million contract he signed with the Seahawks in March. That came after the Vikings extended only a one-year offer as Darnold headed into free agency, an indication of their intent to make J.J. McCarthy— the 10th overall pick of last year’s draft, who missed his entire rookie season following knee surgery — their quarterback of the future."
Considering how Sam Darnold's career was going before his season with the Vikings, it's not surprising that he opted for a big three-year deal instead of another one-year contract so he could cash in on his play last year.
Before his time in Minnesota, Darnold was relegated to backup duty. The former No. 3 overall pick in the 2018 NFL Draft will need to prove that he can thrive in the NFL without having Kevin O'Connell as his head coach and the rest of the Vikings to back him up.
On the other hand, only offering Darnold a one-year deal shows how the Minnesota Vikings were set on rolling with J.J. McCarthy and how they still see him as their quarterback of the future. Hopefully, McCarthy can prove the team right.
