The Minnesota Vikings, like the rest of us, will be watching the Super Bowl from home tonight—a familiar position for fans in this town. But once a champion is crowned on Sunday, the focus will quickly shift to the NFL offseason, and for the Vikings, the biggest question revolves around the quarterback position.
Sam Darnold, who is set to become a free agent in March, has played his way into discussions for a significant contract extension after a strong season. However, the Vikings may struggle to afford his asking price. The big question is whether Minnesota will use the franchise tag to keep Darnold from hitting the open market. This decision largely hinges on head coach Kevin O’Connell’s confidence in J.J. McCarthy, the No. 10 overall pick in the 2024 NFL Draft, who is recovering from two meniscus surgeries.
According to NFL insider Tom Pelissero of NFL Network, the Vikings are keeping the franchise tag option open for Darnold if his free-agent demands become too steep. But even if Darnold departs, Minnesota plans to bring in a veteran starting-caliber quarterback to serve as an insurance policy for McCarthy.
On Sunday, Pelissero provided an update on McCarthy’s recovery, confirming that the rookie is expected to be a full participant in organized team activities (OTAs) by mid-to-late May. McCarthy, who underwent a full meniscus repair in August and an additional procedure in November, is set to begin on-field workouts in the coming weeks.
While the Vikings appear ready to hand the reins to McCarthy in 2025, the upcoming season will be all about winning. Whether it’s Darnold or another veteran quarterback, McCarthy will face competition in training camp. Even if healthy, he’ll need to earn the starting job, as the Vikings prioritize immediate success over long-term development.
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