2 months ago

Vikings face more QB questions with Darnold’s expiring contract and McCarthy’s knee recovery

EAGAN, Minn. — The Minnesota Vikings have entered yet another offseason with significant questions around their quarterback depth chart, an unsettledness that was supposed to be calmed last year when they drafted J.J. McCarthy. In separate season-ending news conferences Thursday, neither general manager Kwesi Adofo-Mensah nor head coach Kevin O’Connell would speak in anything but vague generalities on the subject of interest in re-signing Darnold. “How we put things together as we move into the future will be based upon what gives us the best chance to win, what gives us the best chance to put the best version of the Minnesota Vikings football team on the field,” O’Connell said. But we’re going to go through every layer of it and we’re going to clearly decide that path that that helps us move forward to win games.” Considering McCarthy has yet to take an NFL snap and will be returning from major knee surgery, the Vikings need to have another viable alternative in case the 10th overall pick in the 2024 draft is deemed not ready. With a superstar wide receiver in Justin Jefferson leading a list of standouts on offense including wide receiver Jordan Addison, tight end T.J. Hockenson and tackles Christian Darrisaw and Brian O’Neill, the window is now for the Vikings to try to win that elusive Super Bowl.

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History of this topic

2 days, 7 hours ago

Vikings committed to J.J. McCarthy as starting QB after considering Aaron Rodgers, AP source says

Associated Press

MINNEAPOLIS — The Minnesota Vikings have committed to moving forward with J.J. McCarthy as their starting quarterback this season after deciding not to offer Aaron Rodgers a contract, a person with knowledge of the decision said Wednesday. With Pro Bowl pick Sam Darnold having departed in free agency for the Seattle Seahawks after his breakout season, the Vikings prepared to …

Darnold pointed toward free agency after Vikings pass on franchise tag with McCarthy waiting

Associated Press

MINNEAPOLIS — The Minnesota Vikings will likely let their starting quarterback set the NFL free agent market for a second straight offseason. The Vikings passed on the opportunity to place the franchise tag on Sam Darnold before the league’s deadline on Tuesday, maximizing their options for bolstering the roster and potentially making the first-time Pro Bowl pick available to every …

2 months ago

On Football: Sam Darnold should have plenty of options if the Vikings don’t keep him

Associated Press

Sam Darnold’s shaky finish shouldn’t ruin his impressive season or impact his future. Despite his struggles in Minnesota’s final two games, including a 27-9 loss to the Rams in a wild-card playoff, Darnold should have plenty of options in March if he hits the open market. Darnold also became the fourth player in NFL history with 12 games with multiple …

2 months, 3 weeks ago

NFL Week 17 takeaways: Are Vikings on the Lions’, Eagles’ level? Should Cowboys keep McCarthy?

New York Times

Week 17’s Sunday games brought crucial moments for coaches on the hot seat, teams battling for their playoff lives and, in some cases, both. Jones: The Vikings basically have everything it takes to contend for a championship: balanced offense, impactful defense, strong quarterback play, a quality offensive line and an innovative head coach with strong communication and motivational skills. Perception …

2 months, 3 weeks ago

Russini’s what I’m hearing: Vikings want Darnold back in 2025, Watson’s new deal, Brady’s big role

New York Times

Anyone else losing track of what day it is? • “The ‘perfect play’ might be in your playbook, but in real time …” A question every owner needs to ask head-coaching candidates. • “Has Tom ever done anything on a small scale?” How Brady will shape the Raiders’ future. A Giant decision yet to be made New York Giants co-owners …

3 months ago

Where will Sam Darnold play next? A Kirk Cousins trade? Setting stage for 2025 QB carousel

New York Times

There aren’t many ideal times to be desperate for a franchise quarterback, but the upcoming offseason is shaping up to be trickier than most in that regard. 1 pick in 2015 gave the Cleveland Browns a desperately needed jolt of positivity during another lost season with Deshaun Watson, although Winston’s standing is more tenuous after getting benched for Dorian Thompson-Robinson. …

5 months, 3 weeks ago

Vikings are relieved Darnold has just a knee bruise and no damage after a late hit

Associated Press

EAGAN, Minn. — Minnesota quarterback Sam Darnold has a bruised left knee from a late and low hit that sidelined him for one play, a relief to the undefeated Vikings after an MRI exam revealed no structure damage. Darnold was hurt when Houston defensive end Danielle Hunter took him to the turf after a completion late in the third quarter …

6 months, 1 week ago

Darnold’s home debut with Vikings comes vs. 49ers team he was enlightened with last year as a backup

Associated Press

MINNEAPOLIS — Sam Darnold enjoyed a valuable reset last season of a sputtering NFL career painted by the unfulfilled expectations of a quarterback from a prestigious college program drafted third overall. “When you’re at quarterback, I feel like a lot of times you can feel everything kind of collapsing on you, not just in the game, but theoretically, like, as …

6 months, 2 weeks ago

Can Vikings QB Sam Darnold finally find recipe for NFL success after years of dysfunction?

New York Times

The crowd was roaring like it’d just seen a knockout in a heavyweight fight. “Even the highly drafted guys need the perfect cocktail a lot of times for them to shine,” said former Jets center Jonotthan Harrison, “and very few of them get a sip of it.” GO DEEPER Why Sam Darnold is a vital piece of the Vikings’ draft …

7 months ago

Analysis: J.J. McCarthy’s injury will have minimal impact this year if Sam Darnold performs well

Associated Press

On Football analyzes the biggest topics in the NFL from week to week. ___ J.J. McCarthy’s season-ending knee injury is a major blow for the rookie quarterback and the Minnesota Vikings. Still, it’ll have minimal impact this year if Sam Darnold performs well. Darnold was slated to be the starting QB in Week 1 and there’s no guarantee he would’ve …

7 months, 1 week ago

Vikings rookie QB J.J. McCarthy to miss season following right knee surgery to repair torn meniscus

Associated Press

BEREA, Ohio — J.J. McCarthy’s rookie year with the Minnesota Vikings is already over. The former Michigan star quarterback and first-round NFL draft pick will miss the season after undergoing surgery to repair torn meniscus in his right knee, which he injured in his preseason debut last week. “I really believe that J.J. has kind of confirmed to me and …

7 months, 1 week ago

Vikings rookie J.J. McCarthy out for season after successful meniscus surgery on right knee

New York Times

Minnesota Vikings rookie quarterback J.J. McCarthy was ruled out for the season after having successful surgery on the meniscus in his right knee, coach Kevin O’Connell announced Wednesday. “It did reveal that a repair was necessary, which will end J.J.’s 2024 season.” The Vikings selected McCarthy out of Michigan with the No. Sam Darnold, who is entering his seventh season …

7 months, 1 week ago

Vikings QB McCarthy needs surgery on meniscus tear in right knee, a big setback in rookie’s progress

Associated Press

MINNEAPOLIS — Minnesota Vikings quarterback J.J. McCarthy has a torn meniscus in his right knee that will require surgery, derailing the rookie’s preseason progress and putting his status for the regular season in question. Even if McCarthy’s injury is considered minor and he comes back on the shorter end of the wide range of timetables, this development was a big …

7 months, 1 week ago

Vikings QB McCarthy held out of practice with soreness in right knee after promising preseason debut

Associated Press

EAGAN, Minn. — Minnesota Vikings quarterback J.J. McCarthy reported soreness in his right knee and was held out of practice on Monday night to undergo further examination. Vikings coach Kevin O’Connell said the team didn’t have reason to believe McCarthy was experiencing any problem beyond routine soreness, but O’Connell said he wasn’t sure yet whether McCarthy would travel this week …

7 months, 1 week ago

Vikings QB J.J. McCarthy to have surgery on torn meniscus: What does this mean for Minnesota?

New York Times

The 2024 edition of The Athletic’s NFL Quarterback Tiers is here. EAGAN, Minn. — Minnesota Vikings rookie quarterback J.J. McCarthy will have surgery this week on a torn meniscus in his right knee, coach Kevin O’Connell announced Tuesday. It was something we wanted to be smart about.” GO DEEPER J.J. McCarthy’s debut and 9 more Vikings thoughts from preseason win …

7 months, 2 weeks ago

Vikings ownership says patience with McCarthy will be prioritized, as rookie QB develops

Associated Press

EAGAN, Minn. — When the Minnesota Vikings became the proud owners of a rookie quarterback by drafting J.J. McCarthy in the first round, their potential road to a Super Bowl came into focus — starting with speed bumps. We’re trying to build for the long term.” McCarthy, the 10th overall pick from national champion Michigan, has had his share of …

7 months, 3 weeks ago

Vikings stick to process with McCarthy, as Darnold’s presence keeps pressure off rookie QB

Associated Press

EAGAN, Minn. — The expectations and scrutiny that hound NFL quarterbacks drafted at the top of the first round is mere background noise for J.J. McCarthy in his first training camp with the Minnesota Vikings. “But also, it’s about the quality and the volume of those reps throughout camp to really continue to holistically attack this quarterback development program and …

10 months, 3 weeks ago

Vikings trade up twice in NFL draft. They take Michigan QB J.J. McCarthy, Alabama edge Dallas Turner

Associated Press

EAGAN, Minn. — The Minnesota Vikings traded up twice in the first round of the NFL draft on Thursday night, jumping one spot to No. “Obviously I’m a spreadsheet-calculator guy myself, but sometimes you’ve got to step out from there, take your Clark Kent glasses off and just have a championship mindset and swing for a great player.” The departure …

10 months, 3 weeks ago

Why J.J. McCarthy (and those close to him) saw the Vikings as ‘dream scenario’ in draft

New York Times

He escaped to the golf course. GO DEEPER How hockey helped make J.J. McCarthy one of NFL Draft's most intriguing prospects “It was almost a dream scenario for him,” Campbell said. He referenced a pre-draft Zoom call with McCarthy, who asked him directly: “Is there a reason you wouldn’t draft me?” “Honestly, from a talent standpoint, no,” Adofo-Mensah said. Because …

2 years ago

49ers, QB Sam Darnold agree to 1-year deal, per sources: How he fits with San Francisco

New York Times

By Matt Barrows, David Lombardi and Jeff Howe The San Francisco 49ers and quarterback Sam Darnold have agreed to terms on a one-year deal, team and league sources confirmed to The Athletic. At the very least Darnold’s addition bolsters the 49ers’ depth at their most important position, a major issue last season when they literally ran out of healthy quarterbacks …

2 years ago

49ers bolster QB room with Sam Darnold, whom they’ve had an eye on for years

New York Times

The 49ers have agreed to terms on a one-year deal with quarterback Sam Darnold, according to team and league sources. Best remaining available: The Athletic’s top 150 free agents Live updates: News, predictions, analysis and updates Free agency grades: The Athletic’s Mike Jones grades all the signings Does free agency work? GO DEEPER 49ers, QB Sam Darnold agree to 1-year …

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