The Minnesota Vikings’ quarterback situation has dominated the conversation among fans since their season ended abruptly nearly two weeks ago. While Sam Darnold may not cost a fortune to remain in Minnesota, the team should proceed cautiously if they’re considering moving on from him in favor of former #10 overall pick J.J. McCarthy, according to John Middlekauff, a former NFL scout and current podcast host.
Middlekauff raised concerns about relying solely on McCarthy, noting that while he excelled at Michigan, he never faced the kind of high-pressure situations where he had to carry the team. McCarthy thrived on a dominant college team but never had to perform under the intense pressure of a struggling defense or a high-stakes, game-changing scenario. He may be capable of adapting, but expecting him to lead a playoff-caliber Vikings team could be risky.
Making the jump from Sam Darnold, a seasoned veteran, to McCarthy, who has yet to play in an NFL game, requires careful consideration. McCarthy, despite showing promise in college, did not have many game-changing moments that put the team entirely on his shoulders.
- J.J. McCarthy
Many believe that Darnold is essentially the safer bet compared to McCarthy, especially since the former #3 overall pick is just 27 years old. However, Darnold’s late-season struggles—particularly in the final regular-season game against the Detroit Lions and a disastrous performance in the Wild Card game against the Los Angeles Rams—have raised questions about his future.
While McCarthy showed promise in college, some teams are wary of his ‘low floor’ and whether he can be the kind of player who wins games rather than just avoiding costly mistakes. If the Vikings could get comparable play from McCarthy at a fraction of the cost, it could be a bargain. But, as Middlekauff points out, putting full trust in a player who has never played a professional snap, especially after an injury, and when a veteran like Darnold is already available, could be too big a risk.
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