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The Minnesota Vikings had a strong season in 2022, finishing with a 13-4 record. They aimed to defend their NFC North title but faced challenges. The team lost to the Giants at home in the playoffs.
In 2023, things didn’t start well. Kevin O’Connell’s team began with a 1-4 record. Then, veteran quarterback Kirk Cousins got injured in Week 8.
The injury led to a shuffle of quarterbacks. O’Connell tried three different starters, but the team ended with a 7-10 record.
Half of those quarterbacks have moved on. A new veteran has stepped up as the likely starter for now.
Sam Darnold, the third-overall pick in the 2018 NFL Draft, is now with his fourth team in seven years. After a stint in San Francisco, he’s now a Viking and has impressed his coach.
“We haven’t had to put out a depth chart or anything like that,” explained O’Connell (via ESPN’s Kevin Seifert), “but yeah, I would say Sam would be the guy I would look to based upon the spring he’s had, and really where he’s at in his career and his quarterback journey, and what he’s been able to do coming in and [hitting] the ground running and taking advantage of a competitive situation.”
The other new face is J.J. McCarthy, a 2024 first-round pick from Michigan. Cousins and Joshua Dobbs have moved to the Falcons and 49ers, respectively. Nick Mullens and Jaren Hall are still on the roster.
Darnold’s career has been inconsistent, marked by turnovers. Will McCarthy eventually take over? For now, he’s learning.
“I grew up watching Sam Darnold my entire life,” said McCarthy. “Being able to just sit there and watch him, watch Nick, watch Jaren…it’s not what they say to me, it’s what they do. And just being a sponge and observing them and, eventually, hopefully, one day surpassing them. But right now, they’re just phenomenal human beings who are sharing their wisdom with me, and I just can’t thank them enough and can’t wait for training camp.”
McCarthy’s education will continue during training camp.
