The Minnesota Vikings have a pair of new quarterbacks as they enter the 2024 NFL season. Gone is Kirk Cousins, who left for a 9-figure deal with the Atlanta Falcons. In his place are Sam Darnold and rookie quarterback J.J. McCarthy, formerly of the Michigan Wolverines. Vikings head coach Kevin O’Connell provided an update on the quarterback battle during the team’s mandatory minicamp.
That update wasn’t so surprising.
The veteran Darnold is currently in the driver’s seat to be Minnesota’s starting quarterback. As of now, McCarthy is Darnold’s understudy according to O’Connell.
“I would say Sam would be the guy I would look to based on the spring he’s had and, really, where he’s at in his career and his quarterback journey,” the Vikings coach said via Pro Football Talk.
While McCarthy accomplished a lot at the University of Michigan, many figured he might have to be developed and wait a bit before he gets his feet wet in the NFL. This update seems to give credence that this particular philosophy is likely being practiced now.
Whether it’s Darnold or McCarthy, Minnesota will face a difficult challenge this year. The NFC North is significantly improved all over, and could be one of the most competitive divisions in the NFL.
The NFL world wasn’t taken aback by the news that Darnold is ahead of the pack right now.
Camp. Season. Playoffs. https://t.co/6qKSAINNak
— Brian Johnson (Sam Darnold believer) (@btxj) June 12, 2024
This is why Jj don’t need to hold out if he wanna start week 1 https://t.co/awlQNxhOlN
— CJ🦥🥶 (@Slothhh17) June 12, 2024
Huge for Jetta and Addison https://t.co/bu0bmETdra
— Bak (@JacobBak12) June 12, 2024
Love to see it. https://t.co/IMIoqnqN8k
— Former Scout. (@BeanNutz1) June 12, 2024
About Chris Novak
Chris Novak has been talking and writing about sports ever since he can remember. Previously, Novak wrote for and managed sites in the SB Nation network for nearly a decade from 2013-2022