The Minnesota Vikings have a big decision to make this offseason as they have to choose between signing Pro Bowl quarterback Sam Darnold to a major deal or going forward with second-year quarterback J.J. McCarthy.
Vikings head coach Kevin O’Connell was asked by the Minneapolis media on Thursday about whether or not McCarthy can be the starter in 2025.
His answer was very intriguing.
“I’m very excited about where J.J. is at…He’s returned to on-field training…Very excited about the opportunity to be there with J.J. as he moves through this wonderful thing we call the quarterback world,” O’Connell said.
Kevin O'Connell was asked on JJ McCarthy being ready to be the Vikings starter in 2025
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Time will tell if McCarthy is ready to be the franchise signal-caller moving forward.
However, the team cannot ignore the play of Darnold this season.
He set career-highs in passing yards, touchdown passes, passer rating, quarterback rating, and a host of other major categories.
The Vikings have to decide if they want to let Darnold go somewhere else and roll with an unproven, first-year starter who is coming off of a major lower-body injury (torn meniscus).
After winning 14 games with Darnold, the team seriously has to consider keeping him and letting McCarthy learn a little bit more.
In a tough NFC North and loaded conference as a whole, the last thing Minnesota would want to do is put a young player out there with relatively no experience at the NFL level.
The Vikings likely won’t have a great answer for who their starter will be until free agency begins at the very least.
NEXT: Kevin O'Connell Sends Clear Message To Vikings About His Contract Situation
