The Minnesota Vikings will need a new starting quarterback this upcoming season after longtime quarterback Kirk Cousins left the team to sign with the Atlanta Falcons. And as the team heads into training camp, head coach Kevin O’Connell has announced that the first-team quarterback will be Sam Darnold.
During a recent press conference, Kevin O’Connell announced that Sam Darnold will take the majority of the first-team reps over rookie quarterback J.J. McCarthy as the team prepares for the upcoming season, according to Kevin Seifert of ESPN.
“QB Sam Darnold will take the majority of first-team snaps when camp opens, Kevin O’Connell reiterated, but he does expect J.J. McCarthy to get some as well,” Seifert said in a post on X, the social media website that was formerly known as Twitter.
QB Sam Darnold will take the majority of first-team snaps when camp opens, Kevin O'Connell reiterated, but he does expect J.J. McCarthy to get some as well.
— Kevin Seifert (@SeifertESPN) July 22, 2024
While this is not necessarily a declaration that Darnold will definitely be the team’s starting quarterback this upcoming season, it certainly does indicate that the team is preparing as if he will be the starter, at least to begin the season.
Needless to say, this announcement led to a lot of reactions on social media.
Everyone that’s been paying attention already knew this, and this is a GOOD thing for Justin Jefferson’s fantasy value https://t.co/e7C9Z8h9g2
— Adam Koffler (@AdamKoffler) July 22, 2024
Trust the process yall https://t.co/VoQ6ENcKOs
— Jason (@_jason_777) July 22, 2024
Darnold hive, we still have a pulse!! https://t.co/YznSCn6JHg
— First Time Listener, Long Time Caller (@TheBigSTD) July 22, 2024
As he should. Dude about to lead the purple to the promise land. #Skol 💜 https://t.co/eOBSncFoOo
— K-Dub (@MrKdub) July 22, 2024
Vegas has Vikings at a 6.5 over under on wins and predicted for last place in the division. Sam Darnold will most likely be starting QB. Vikings win 5 games this year. Take the under
— Delray (@Delray881) July 22, 2024
JJ doesn’t need to practice first team as much because he just needs to grow
— RealMythicalDragon (@real_dr1) July 22, 2024
Darnold has not been a full-time starting quarterback in the NFL since the 2021 season.
