Yesterday, 06:38 PM
According to longtime local insider, Charley Walters (Pioneer Press), the Minnesota Vikings will put JJ McCarthy’s knee to the test in February.
After that, they will make a more concrete plan on how they want to fill their 2025 depth chart at quarterback. Of note: another redshirt season for JJ is very much on the table… and so is bringing back Sam Darnold.
If Sam Darnold continues to excel, it could mean even a second redshirt year for J.J. McCarthy, depending on the rookie’s health. That could complicate the Vikings’ quarterback future.
The Vikings, who will thoroughly scrutinize McCarthy’s knee in February, could have a really difficult QB decision entering next year.
Because the Minnesota Vikings invested a top 10 draft pick in JJ McCarthy, he will remain the short-term and long-term favorite to QB O’Connell’s offense… eventually. But clearly, they are not convinced that will begin in 2025.
That’s why Kevin and Kwesi are keeping all future QB options on the table, included Daniel Jones, when he surprisingly became available last week. The Minnesota Vikings hope to convince the former 2019 No. 6 overall pick that he needs the Vikings more than they need him.
And he very well may, but the Vikings could be just as desperate for Daniel Jones to re-sign in 2025, as he is for good coaching. Especially when you think realistically about how much it will cost to keep Sam Darnold, which will probably be $30-$40 million per year.
Vikings + Sam Darnold reunion still on the table… via franchise tag?
No way the Minnesota Vikings pay Darnold that, right? Probably not on a multi-year deal. But what about the franchise tag? If KOC believes Sam gives the 2025 Vikings a chance to make another run, a franchise tag would lock him in on a one-year deal worth about $40 million.
Darnold is playing for $10 million and can become a free agent after the season. The market now for a productive NFL QB is at least $40 million a season over four years. NFL teams are desperate for good quarterback play.
The challenge for the Vikings is the money Darnold could cost, although the team could franchise him for one year at a cost of nearly $40 million.
It would also stop Darnold from finding a longer term contract elsewhere. This wouldn’t be the most player-friendly route for Kwesi & Co to travel, nor the most cost-effective for 2025. That’s why Jones is now in the building.
But Sam Darnold on a one-year $40 million deal is a better option than JJ McCarthy, if he isn’t ready. And it’s a far better option than diving back into the QB scrap heap for another one-year reclamation project. The Minnesota Vikings have more cap space available next offseason.
$40 million for Darnold isn’t as crazy as you think
And while $40 million sounds like crazy money, it would barely get Sam into the top 10 of NFL quarterback salaries scheduled for 2025. Dak Prescott is set to make nearly $90 million. Deshaun Watson, $72 million; Mahomes $66 million. Hell, Derek Carr is on the Saints books for $52 million in 2025.
Of course, deals will be extended, re-worked and voided, so those huge numbers at the top of the board probably won’t stick. Still, $40 million per year won’t look exorbitant for a quarterback, in 2025.
Would the Minnesota Vikings be better off slapping the franchise tag on Sam Darnold, which would allow McCarthy more time to move on from his knee injury? Nobody can predict the future, but it certainly seems like a plausible scenario.
Source: MN Sports Fan
After that, they will make a more concrete plan on how they want to fill their 2025 depth chart at quarterback. Of note: another redshirt season for JJ is very much on the table… and so is bringing back Sam Darnold.
If Sam Darnold continues to excel, it could mean even a second redshirt year for J.J. McCarthy, depending on the rookie’s health. That could complicate the Vikings’ quarterback future.
The Vikings, who will thoroughly scrutinize McCarthy’s knee in February, could have a really difficult QB decision entering next year.
Because the Minnesota Vikings invested a top 10 draft pick in JJ McCarthy, he will remain the short-term and long-term favorite to QB O’Connell’s offense… eventually. But clearly, they are not convinced that will begin in 2025.
That’s why Kevin and Kwesi are keeping all future QB options on the table, included Daniel Jones, when he surprisingly became available last week. The Minnesota Vikings hope to convince the former 2019 No. 6 overall pick that he needs the Vikings more than they need him.
And he very well may, but the Vikings could be just as desperate for Daniel Jones to re-sign in 2025, as he is for good coaching. Especially when you think realistically about how much it will cost to keep Sam Darnold, which will probably be $30-$40 million per year.
Vikings + Sam Darnold reunion still on the table… via franchise tag?
No way the Minnesota Vikings pay Darnold that, right? Probably not on a multi-year deal. But what about the franchise tag? If KOC believes Sam gives the 2025 Vikings a chance to make another run, a franchise tag would lock him in on a one-year deal worth about $40 million.
Darnold is playing for $10 million and can become a free agent after the season. The market now for a productive NFL QB is at least $40 million a season over four years. NFL teams are desperate for good quarterback play.
The challenge for the Vikings is the money Darnold could cost, although the team could franchise him for one year at a cost of nearly $40 million.
It would also stop Darnold from finding a longer term contract elsewhere. This wouldn’t be the most player-friendly route for Kwesi & Co to travel, nor the most cost-effective for 2025. That’s why Jones is now in the building.
But Sam Darnold on a one-year $40 million deal is a better option than JJ McCarthy, if he isn’t ready. And it’s a far better option than diving back into the QB scrap heap for another one-year reclamation project. The Minnesota Vikings have more cap space available next offseason.
$40 million for Darnold isn’t as crazy as you think
And while $40 million sounds like crazy money, it would barely get Sam into the top 10 of NFL quarterback salaries scheduled for 2025. Dak Prescott is set to make nearly $90 million. Deshaun Watson, $72 million; Mahomes $66 million. Hell, Derek Carr is on the Saints books for $52 million in 2025.
Of course, deals will be extended, re-worked and voided, so those huge numbers at the top of the board probably won’t stick. Still, $40 million per year won’t look exorbitant for a quarterback, in 2025.
Would the Minnesota Vikings be better off slapping the franchise tag on Sam Darnold, which would allow McCarthy more time to move on from his knee injury? Nobody can predict the future, but it certainly seems like a plausible scenario.
Source: MN Sports Fan
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