Kirby Lee-USA TODAY Sports
With training camp coming closer and closer, many questions remain that will be answered in those next few weeks in Eagan, Minnesota. Of course, the position battles will be the main focus throughout that time, with open spots at cornerback, offensive guard, and wide receiver. However, the top priority on the list is to find a new starting quarterback.
Vikings Check Another Offseason Box
Michigan quarterback J.J. McCarthy kisses the championship trophy to celebrate the Wolverines’ 34-13 win over Washington in the national championship game at NRG Stadium in Houston on Monday, Jan. 8, 2024.
Two quarterbacks can realistically earn the starting role in Week 1: Sam Darnold and J.J. McCarthy. Nick Mullens and Jaren Hall will ultimately compete for a depth role.
McCarthy’s first time throwing in front of Minnesota’s fans will come in training camp. On Friday, the Vikings ensured that he would be eligible to compete with his peers when the parties agreed to the final details of his rookie deal.
Adam Schefter tweeted on Friday: “Sources: Minnesota Vikings No. 10 overall pick J.J. McCarthy is signing a four-year, fully-guaranteed contract worth $21.85 million that includes a $12.71 million signing bonus and a fifth-year team option.”
Michigan quarterback J.J. McCarthy points down the field during the second half of the College Football Playoff national championship game against Washington at NRG Stadium in Houston, Texas, on Monday, Jan. 8, 2024.
The numbers are all non-negotiable, but the details, such as when the rookie will get his money and some other minor components, can be negotiated. And that is what might have been the delay. McCarthy was the final first-round quarterback to sign his contract after Caleb Williams officially got a deal done on Thursday.
Once the Vikings officially and formally announce the contract agreement, all remaining doubts about whether the signal-caller would hold out of training camp until his demands are met can safely rest.
In training camp, McCarthy will continue to adjust his mechanics under the guidance of quarterback coach Josh McCown, a longtime NFL passer. Of course, head coach ‒ another former NFL quarterback, although with less playing time ‒ Kevin O’Connell will also help in his development.
Dec 31, 2023; Minneapolis, Minnesota, USA; Minnesota Vikings head coach Kevin O’Connell and quarterback Jaren Hall (16) look on before the game against the Green Bay Packers at U.S. Bank Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Jeffrey Becker-USA TODAY Sports
Also on Friday, the same day as Schefter’s report broke, O’Connell appeared on KFAN’s The Power Trip Morning Show, and of course, he was asked about the pricey rookie: “I’m really, really excited about where he’s gonna go, my hope is he’s the Minnesota Vikings quarterback for a really long time. He’s doing everything in his power; I’m sure he’s going to have a great training camp. It’s going to be competitive with him and Sam [Darnold], and I’m really looking forward to it.”
The new part is that there will be a competition. O’Connell could also just confirm Darnold as the Week 1 starter and end all theories and speculation around the QB1 spot in Minnesota.
Darnold is a fascinating player in Skol Nation and the entire NFL landscape. If successful in camp, the former third-overall pick would undoubtedly have the opportunity to lead the best supporting cast of his career as a starting passer after three seasons with the New York Jets and two with the Carolina Panthers before spending a season holding Brock Purdy’s clipboard on the 49ers’ sideline. He might have some untapped talent and become the next Geno Smith or Baker Mayfield and revive his career after a change of scenery.
Feb 5, 2024; Las Vegas, NV, USA; San Francisco 49ers quarterback Sam Darnold (14) is interviewed during Super Bowl LVIII Opening Night at Allegiant Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Kirby Lee-USA TODAY Sports
The veteran will open training camp in the pole position, as O’Connell virtually confirmed when the Vikings last met for OTAs: “We haven’t had to put out a depth chart or anything like that, but I would say Sam would be the guy I would look to based on 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 the competitive situation.”
Despite Darnold’s status as the current QB1, McCarthy performing better in practices isn’t outlandish. The good news is that there isn’t any pressure on the 21-year-old to become the starter immediately. Minnesota’s decision-makers will be patient with their first-rounder.
McCarthy is scheduled to arrive for camp on Sunday. His first preseason contest will be on August 10. Week 1 will be roughly a month later, on September 8.
Fellow first-rounder Dallas Turner is Minnesota’s remaining unsigned rookie.
Janik Eckardt is a football fan who likes numbers and stats. The Vikings became his favorite team despite their quarterback at the time, Christian Ponder. He is a walking soccer encyclopedia, loves watching sitcoms, and prefers Classic rock over other genres. Follow him on Twitter if you like the Vikings: @JanikEckardt
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Publish date : 2024-07-19 23:24:12
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