Ask an informed fan and/or a Vikings writer and the answer will probably be the same: J.J. McCarthy — the No. 10 pick in the 2024 NFL Draft — is going to get the nod as the QB1 for the Vikings in 2025.
In the end, that theory looks to be the most plausible. After all, the high draft slot is ironclad confirmation for how the franchise feels about him, a sentiment that has since been reinforced by no shortage of verbal praise from Minnesota’s top leaders. The Vikings’ QB position still offers some mystery, though, as 2024 drifts away.
The Vikings’ QB Mystery
Part of the issue with moving on from Jaren Hall was that there would be no other passer on the roster by the time the ’25 offseason hit.
The current QB hierarchy consists of Sam Darnold, Nick Mullens, and Brett Rypien. Left with contracts untouched, the trio will venture into the upcoming offseason as free agents. Minnesota would thus be in the market for a passer (or two) to help solidify the game’s most important position.
Over on The Vikings Gazette, there’s an argument in favor of keeping Mr. Darnold around beyond the current season. Or, at least, an exploration of how and why that could happen rather than a full endorsement of that path.
Essentially, the issue comes down to a few factors. Start off with the simple fact that McCarthy is unproven in the NFL and coming off a major injury. Darnold, meanwhile, has proven himself capable of strong play and capable of leading the Vikings to a tip-top record. Any merit in bringing him back, especially if his inconsistent play depresses the market for his services a bit?
In theory, the Vikings could then venture into a future where they have a pair of passers for whom they have confidence. May the best man win.
In a piece that explores the NFL’s upcoming free agents, Jeremy Fowler suggests that a Darnold reunion isn’t completely implausible. “Darnold and Minnesota are 7-2 together,” Fowler writes, “so entertaining a bridge deal while the team continues to develop McCarthy behind the scenes shouldn’t be completely off the table. Darnold’s decision-making on the field down the stretch will determine a lot about his future.”
Something to be said for that winning record, folks, especially if there ends up being some playoff success.
Otherwise, there could be a move to ensure Mullens sticks around. After all, we’re talking about a passer who is well respected in Minnesota. He got brought aboard via trade and then was extended. The leadership likes him and believes that he’s capable of keeping the ship afloat if he needed to jump into the lineup. Yes, there are concerns about his ability to be an every-week starter, but teams could do far — far — worse than Nick Mullens.
The possibility exists, though, that Minnesota looks to totally overhaul their QB room. J.J. McCarthy would be the top option and given every chance to succeed as Kevin O’Connell’s Padawan and as someone with a full arsenal of weaponry.
The new quarterbacks would be charged with helping McCarthy to develop while offering the ability to jump into the action if there was another injury. Risky, but not impossible to find solid backups. After all, Minnesota said goodbye to almost all of their edge rushers last offseason and have been mostly rewarded for doing so; does something similar happen at QB?
The Vikings’ QB mystery is going to linger for a little while longer. The 2024 season is past its midway point, so the answers to these questions are closer than most realize. Nevertheless, it’s safe to say that the simple fact of having no other quarterback under contract in 2025 beyond Mr. McCarthy leaves the Vikings in fascinating spot at the game’s most important position.
On Over the Cap, the suggestion is that Minnesota will have more than $70 million in cap space. The site’s proprietor — Jason Fitzgerald — recently sent out a tweet offering a more precise number, explaining that the Vikings look to be 6th in the NFL with a touch beyond $65 million in open space. The point is simply that the franchise will have money to work with, so keep an eye on how they handle the quarterback spot.
Editor’s Note: Information from Over the Cap helped with this piece.
K. Joudry is the Senior Editor for Vikings Territory and PurplePTSD. He has been covering the Vikings full time since the summer of 2021. He can be found on Twitter, as a co-host for Notes from the North, and as the proprietor at The Vikings Gazette, a humble Vikings Substack.