The Minnesota Vikings are in a quarterback dilemma, with Sam Darnold entering free agency after a standout Pro Bowl season and rookie first-round pick J.J. McCarthy recovering from a torn meniscus suffered in the preseason opener.
Daniel Jones also factors into the equation, though his future with the Vikings could hinge more on Darnold’s decisions after the season than McCarthy’s recovery.
It’s a fortunate situation for the Vikings, nonetheless.
“Sam Darnold’s 2024 performance was a revelation, putting the Vikings in a position where #10 overall pick J.J. McCarthy is in a holding pattern for now,” Spotrac’s Michael Ginnitti stated on January 3. “Prediction: The Vikings trade J.J. McCarthy to the Las Vegas Raiders just before the NFL Draft.”
The Vikings could fetch a significant return for McCarthy if they decide to trade him.
In a previous move, they traded the No. 11 overall pick, along with fourth- and fifth-round picks, to the New York Jets in order to move up to the No. 10 spot in the 2024 draft and select the former Michigan standout. With a sixth-round pick also coming their way in that deal, the Vikings could recover that package and potentially more in a trade for McCarthy.
Vikings Navigating QB Quandary
The Minnesota Vikings are facing an intriguing quarterback dilemma, with Sam Darnold coming off a Pro Bowl season and rookie J.J. McCarthy recovering from a torn meniscus. ESPN’s Adam Schefter believes the Vikings could receive heavy interest from teams looking to trade for McCarthy, especially given the weak quarterback draft class.
McCarthy, despite his injury, is viewed as one of the top prospects in the class, and Schefter expects any potential trade to fetch the Vikings everything they invested in McCarthy, if not more.
Fox Sports 1’s Colin Cowherd also believes the Vikings should consider trading McCarthy. He highlighted the presence of Daniel Jones and the team’s limited draft capital as key factors. Cowherd suggested that with McCarthy having no NFL experience and coming off surgeries, the Vikings may look to move him while keeping Darnold and Jones. This could be a strategic move as rookie contracts offer cost control, which is crucial in a competitive NFC North.
Furthermore, with the franchise tag for quarterbacks projected at $41.3 million for 2025, keeping Darnold could be costly. The Vikings would need to make a tough decision on whether to retain Darnold or trade McCarthy to maximize their resources.
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