After letting veteran quarterback Kirk Cousins walk in NFL free agency this offseason, the Minnesota Vikings were anxious to secure the long-term future at the quarterback position, with the team intent on selecting a quarterback during the 2024 NFL Draft.
With several talented quarterbacks in this year’s draft class, the Vikings had a decent chance of landing one of them when they were on the clock at No. 10 after making a trade with the New York Jets.
Although the majority of the top-tier quarterbacks were taken, like Caleb Williams, Jayden Daniels, Drake Maye, and Michael Penix Jr., Minnesota still had a chance at Michigan product J.J. McCarthy.
Fortunately for the Vikings, the team was able to draft McCarthy, and even though the team signed veteran Sam Darnold in free agency, the rookie may have a chance to start Week 1 as he’s viewed as the future of the position in Minnesota, according to head coach Kevin O’Connell (via The Purple Persuasion).
“We see [J.J. McCarthy] as our QB of the future,” O’Connell said on “The Rich Eisen Show.”
For those that are worried about #Vikings QB Sam Darnold being here longer than a year
“We see [J.J]. McCarthy] as our QB of the future”
– HC Kevin O’Connell: @RichEisenShow pic.twitter.com/ga1Lv1w3yM
— The Purple Persuasion (@TPPSkol) June 10, 2024
Although O’Connell and the team’s brass view McCarthy as their quarterback of the future, the head coach wouldn’t dub him the starter for Week 1 just yet, as he admits that the team is expecting a competitive training camp with him and Darnold.
Despite bouncing around the league a bit, the former first-round draft pick has a chance to resurrect his career in Minnesota if he can outperform McCarthy in training camp, which will be something everyone will be watching for ahead of the regular season.
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