MINNEAPOLIS — While the Minnesota Vikings’ communication about their quarterbacks was unclear earlier this month, it’s become much more transparent in recent days.
Did they want to retain Sam Darnold? Possibly, but only under the right conditions, which weren’t met by the deal he got from Seattle.
Were they interested in 41-year-old free agent Aaron Rodgers? There were discussions, but for about a week, it was hard to determine how serious the Vikings were about it.
However, the speculation has given way to a more defined direction: second-year quarterback J.J. McCarthy is their choice, and he will be given every chance and resource to be the Week 1 starter in 2025.
There are still some contingencies. A veteran quarterback will likely be brought in at some point, and Rodgers remains a possibility as long as he’s unsigned. But the Vikings are clearly making it known that they’re putting their trust in McCarthy.
They’re settling into their plan, one that will likely push their decision-makers into unfamiliar territory at quarterback, something the franchise hasn’t experienced in a decade.
Veteran quarterbacks typically offer more security, with solid floors but lower ceilings compared to the uncertainty surrounding someone like McCarthy.
The last time the Vikings fully committed to a young quarterback was in the mid-2010s when they drafted Teddy Bridgewater, gave him significant experience as a rookie in 2014 with 12 starts, and then handed him the starting role in 2015.
In a different reality, Bridgewater (still just 32 years old) could still be their starter today. He led the Vikings to an 11-5 record and a division title in 2015, and there was strong optimism about his development before a devastating knee injury just before the 2016 season.
Since then, the Vikings have relied on a string of veterans for consistency: Sam Bradford, brought in after Bridgewater’s injury in 2016; Case Keenum, who stepped in effectively after Bradford was hurt in 2017; Kirk Cousins, who started for six seasons from 2018-2023; and Darnold, who replaced McCarthy last season after his preseason knee injury squashed any competition.
While this approach has kept the Vikings relevant—making the playoffs in four of those nine seasons and never finishing with fewer than seven wins—it’s not the path to greatness in today’s NFL. Super Bowl contenders typically have either an elite, experienced quarterback or a promising young quarterback on a cheap contract that allows them to build a strong, well-rounded team.
The Vikings have lacked both since Bridgewater’s injury. It’s uncertain whether McCarthy will be the answer in 2025, as it’s impossible to predict how he’ll perform in the spotlight.
But if the decision is between sacrificing the security of consistent performance for the chance at greatness, it’s a risk worth taking every time.
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