The Minnesota Vikings’ season was saved in 2024 thanks to the franchise’s decision to sign Sam Darnold early in NFL free agency. Darnold stepped up with a breakout campaign following the season-ending injury to J.J. McCarthy, helping propel Minnesota to the playoffs and sparking debate about who will be the Vikings starting quarterback in 2025.
McCarthy, the 10th overall pick in the 2024 NFL Draft, suffered a torn meniscus in his first preseason game. The rookie underwent a full repair, sidelining him for the entire season and opening the door for Darnold to have a season-long opportunity.
He made the most of it, with the 27-year-old quarterback recording the fourth-most passing yards (4,319) and passing touchdowns (35) in the NFL. Heading into Week 18 against the Detroit Lions, there was significant about over who should start for Minnesota in 2025. That all changed with Darnold’s disastrous two-game stretch in Week 18 and a Wild Card Round loss to the Los Angeles Rams.
However, it also might’ve opened the door for Minnesota to re-sign Darnold to a more team-friendly deal. Before his late-season collapse, NFL executives expected him to land a multi-year deal in NFL free agency worth $40-plus million per season. Now, estimates are it will fall in the range of $35 million annually.
Complicating a decision for the Vikings is McCarthy’s status for the 2025 season. Following the original procedure in August, the rookie underwent a second knee surgery in November to address swelling. Fortunately, that follow-up procedure likely won’t cost him valuable time this offseason.
According to NFL Network‘s Tom Pelissero and Ian Rapoport, McCarthy is expected to begin football drills in the next few weeks. That means that the 2024 first-round pick will likely be on the field for Minnesota when OTAs begin in May.
- J.J. McCarthy contract (Spotrac): $4.966 million cap hit in 2025, $5.96 million cap hit in 2026, $6.953 million cap hit in 2027, team option in 2028
Unsurprisingly, per NFL.com, the Vikings are expected to pursue a veteran quarterback if a bidding war pushes Darnold out of their price range. Daniel Jones is the leading candidate after finishing the season with Minnesota, but he might also have a market that could push up his asking price.
Fortunately for the Vikings, head coach Kevin O’Connell’s success with Darnold and the outstanding supporting cast of Justin Jefferson, Jordan Addison and T.J. Hockenson should make this a top landing spot for a veteran quarterback. Regardless of who is signed, McCarthy remains the favorite to be the Vikings starting quarterback in 2025.
Complicating a decision for the Vikings is McCarthy’s status for the 2025 season. Following the original procedure in August, the rookie underwent a second knee surgery in November to address swelling. Fortunately, that follow-up procedure likely won’t cost him valuable time this offseason.
According to NFL Network‘s Tom Pelissero and Ian Rapoport, McCarthy is expected to begin football drills in the next few weeks. That means that the 2024 first-round pick will likely be on the field for Minnesota when OTAs begin in May.
- J.J. McCarthy contract (Spotrac): $4.966 million cap hit in 2025, $5.96 million cap hit in 2026, $6.953 million cap hit in 2027, team option in 2028
Unsurprisingly, per NFL.com, the Vikings are expected to pursue a veteran quarterback if a bidding war pushes Darnold out of their price range. Daniel Jones is the leading candidate after finishing the season with Minnesota, but he might also have a market that could push up his asking price.
Fortunately for the Vikings, head coach Kevin O’Connell’s success with Darnold and the outstanding supporting cast of Justin Jefferson, Jordan Addison and T.J. Hockenson should make this a top landing spot for a veteran quarterback. Regardless of who is signed, McCarthy remains the favorite to be the Vikings starting quarterback in 2025.
