The Minnesota Vikings made a smart move last offseason by signing Sam Darnold to a one-year contract, but it’s already time to start planning for the quarterback position in 2025. J.J. McCarthy, the Vikings’ rookie first-round pick this year, will be an unknown heading into his second season, as he will miss his entire first year due to a knee injury and two surgeries.
Meanwhile, Darnold has played well enough to potentially earn a lucrative contract on the free agent market, with a projected value of around $32.5 million annually, according to Spotrac.
Nick Mullens has shown he can be a competent backup, but he has a 5-15 career record as a starter, including an 0-3 record with the Vikings last season. Additionally, his contract expires after this season. While the Vikings don’t need to make a move for a quarterback until next offseason, the options available and their respective value will be key considerations.
For example, the New York Giants released quarterback Daniel Jones on November 22, choosing to move on from a signal caller they signed to a $160 million extension just last year.
Jones will likely seek a starting role in the NFL for 2025, though his recent struggles may make it difficult to secure such an opportunity immediately. Ideally, he would find a new team now. Minnesota could be a reasonable landing spot for Jones, given the team’s current quarterback situation.
Darnold is expected to play elsewhere in 2025, likely making too much money for the Vikings to keep with McCarthy in line to start. However, if Darnold gets injured, Mullens would be the only available backup.
Signing Jones could provide Minnesota with added security at the position, and the Vikings could likely sign him for the pro-rated league minimum for the rest of the 2024 season. Jones would certainly sign somewhere, and the Vikings could use another quarterback with starting experience.
If Minnesota can bring him in now and keep him through 2025, it would offer security for both parties. Jones would likely be a backup next year or compete for a starting job elsewhere, but the Vikings offer considerable upside for anyone filling their No. 2 quarterback spot.
McCarthy is expected to be the Vikings’ starter in Week 1 of 2025, but his history of injuries may delay his progression or create an opening for Jones if McCarthy gets hurt or struggles. McCarthy has yet to take a regular-season snap, and Minnesota may not want to risk starting him immediately, especially if he doesn’t perform well. This would give a backup like Jones a chance to step in and showcase his abilities.
The Vikings have one of the NFL’s top skill-position groups, which could make them an attractive option for Jones if he were to join the team. If Jones were to sign and earn a starting opportunity, Minnesota could provide the ideal environment for him to rebuild his value.
Additionally, with Darnold’s $10 million salary coming off the books, the Vikings will only be committed to McCarthy’s salary in 2025 and beyond, as his four-year rookie deal is worth $22 million. With $62 million in dead cap this season due to roster changes, Minnesota still has flexibility and money to spend next offseason to further strengthen the quarterback position.
