Live Update: Vikings Face Major Quarterback Questions for 2025 Offseason
The Minnesota Vikings wrapped up their season with a focus on one critical topic: the quarterback position. At Thursday’s end-of-season press conference, the futures of Sam Darnold and J.J. McCarthy were front and center.
Sam Darnold’s Uncertain Future
After a strong regular season, Sam Darnold seemed like a lock to remain the Vikings’ starter heading into 2025. However, back-to-back losses, including the wild-card defeat to the Rams, have complicated the picture. Decisions about whether to re-sign Darnold, place the franchise tag on him, or let him walk will need to be made before the team can fully evaluate their other option: J.J. McCarthy.
J.J. McCarthy’s Recovery and Potential
The 2024 first-round pick missed his entire rookie season due to a torn meniscus, but head coach Kevin O’Connell expressed optimism about McCarthy’s progress.
“I’m very excited about where J.J.’s at,” said O’Connell. “He’s returned to on-field training, he’s right where we hoped he would be at this point to have the type of offseason to answer that question. I think he maximized what this year was for him, and he has a level of comfort in our offensive system.”
Despite McCarthy’s recovery, O’Connell made it clear that it’s still “way too early” to predict how the quarterback situation will unfold. The team will need to make pivotal decisions before the 2025 offseason practices, even without seeing McCarthy fully tested on the field.
A Key Offseason Ahead
Heading into the final week of the regular season, it seemed unlikely the Vikings would part ways with Darnold. Now, his inconsistent performances in crucial games have opened the door for significant changes.
How Kevin O’Connell and GM Kwesi Adofo-Mensah navigate the quarterback situation will undoubtedly be one of the biggest storylines of the offseason, shaping the future of the Vikings’ offense.
Stay tuned for updates as Minnesota works to solidify its plans under center for 2025!
