The Minnesota Vikings have a big decision to make.
They reportedly wanted J.J. McCarthy to be their quarterback for the future.
Unfortunately, the former first-round pick sustained a season-ending injury before he could even make his pro debut.
Then, Sam Darnold emerged as an MVP candidate.
And with Darnold set to become a free agent and demand a steep pay raise, the Vikings will essentially have to decide between re-signing him to a long-term, big-money deal or rolling the dice with a rookie coming off a season-ending injury.
With that in mind, ESPN insider Adam Schefter believes the team will get plenty of calls about McCarthy’s availability.
On ESPN Radio, Schefter claimed that multiple QB-needy teams could be interested in the Michigan product.
There’s a shortage of NFL-ready quarterbacks in this draft class, and he believes McCarthy would’ve been either a top or the top QB prospect in this draft class.
“JJ McCarthy would’ve been a top if not THE top QB in this draft.”@AdamSchefter says teams will be calling the @Vikings to inquire about their rookie QB this offseason ? pic.twitter.com/ccgautztGb
— ESPN Radio (@ESPNRadio) January 1, 2025
So, in this scenario, he firmly believes the Vikings could get a first-round pick “and then some” if they were to move him.
Of course, this won’t be an easy decision to make.
McCarthy has plenty of promise, and he’s younger than Darnold.
Then again, this team looks ready to compete for a Super Bowl immediately, and there are always learning curves with rookie players.
Darnold’s pairing with Kevin O’Connell looks like a match made in heaven, and there’s a strong case for this partnership to go on.
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