Wonder how JJM is handling everything?

That's my biggest concern right now. The kid has been through hell and back and is seeing all the ridiculous turmoil on social media. 90% of it is bullshit, but it would be hard not to take that personally considering we're likely not going through any of this right now had JJ stayed healthy and played better. 

I like the bust-to-boom Darnold story, but the one that I'll really like is when JJ proves the haters wrong. But, y'know, in less time than it took Darnold.

MaroonBells wrote:
That's my biggest concern right now. The kid has been through hell and back and is seeing all the ridiculous turmoil on social media. 90% of it is bullshit, but it would be hard not to take that personally considering we're likely not going through any of this right now had JJ stayed healthy and played better. 

I like the bust-to-boom Darnold story, but the one that I'll really like is when JJ proves the haters wrong. But, y'know, in less time than it took Darnold.

^^^

AND with The Vikings...

purplefaithful wrote:

^^^

AND with The Vikings...

BINGO.

I drug myself through a ton of interviews over the last few days, and the kid who's our (theoretical) primary QB was mostly stomped on, but the show with Mackey and two other bobbleheads at least dug into the facts that the kid did a ton better late in the season when KOC also seemed to make needed adjustments.

I've been a fan since Fran handed off to Tommy, and I've heard the last few decades' worth of "why can't we develop a young QB" since...hell, Culpepper. It's a fair and recurring question, one that singles out our team while others seem to draft their next "long term starter" with regularity. Granted, in typical Vikings style, our latest kid has had several injuries, new fatherhood, delays in his instruction (while healing) and now sits with ten starts, a winning record, but a "FRAGILE" label and now...every bobblehead online and on TV at least insinuating that maybe KOC isn't in his corner after all.

I'm REALLY wanting to hear from KOC on this, obviously.

This season, the sensible path (in my eyes) is to pursue a Mac Jones, Kirko, or similar QB that's more than good enough to start and thus more than good enough to make sure the kid's working to a high standard. Hell, any NFL team needs at least two serviceable QBs in their rosters...and after the last few years, we seem to need at least 4.

I'm honestly hoping that KOC stays the course with JJM. For all his faults, he brings attitude and mobility that we've lacked, obviously has a ton of arm, but does need to beef up and attack those mechanics. With out already-dire cap situation, I don't see much chance of going "big game hunting" and trading for a blue chip starter...and even if we did, we'd arguably be trying to get another outside QB to solve our internal issues.

The kid showed progress, and that's the right direction. He had some brutal games, but also had a lot of drops from his "weapons" and we still only missed the playoffs by half of a game.

Go be the "QB whisperer", KOC. Earn your title.

Big off-season for JJM.

Justin Jefferson: Vikings likely better if Sam Darnold stayed
play
ESPN
Feb 2, 2026, 09:47 AM ET

The Minnesota Vikings struggled to a 9-8 mark this season, failing to make the playoffs after a five-win decline from the 2024 season, and wide receiver Justin Jefferson can't help but wonder if things would've been different had quarterback Sam Darnold been under center instead of oft-injured J.J. McCarthy.

"Everyone knows the difficulty of the quarterback position this year, how we were dealt it," Jefferson told USA Today Sports. "But having a quarterback that already had a season under his belt with us, knew the plays, knew the playbook, knew the players, throwing to me, Jordan Addison, T.J. Hockenson, all these guys, I definitely feel like we would have done better."

Justin Jefferson and Sam Darnold found chemistry in their only season together with the Vikings in 2024, combining for 103 receptions for 1,533 yards and 10 touchdowns. Matt Krohn-Imagn Images
The Vikings signed Darnold in 2024 as insurance until McCarthy, their quarterback of the future, was ready. But after McCarthy suffered a season-ending injury in preseason, Darnold, under coach Kevin O'Connell's guidance, blossomed in the Vikings' scheme, leading Minnesota to 14 wins after winning a total of 21 games in his previous six seasons. He ranked fifth in the NFL in passing yards (4,319) and touchdown passes (35) while earning his first career Pro Bowl invitation.

The Vikings did not re-sign him after the 2024 season, however, and Darnold wound up leading the Seattle Seahawks to Super Bowl LX in the first season of a three-year, $100.5 million deal.

While Darnold flourished with the Seahawks, McCarthy again was hampered by myriad injuries, playing just 52% of the Vikings' snaps this season and attempting only 243 passes. He has missed a total of 25 games over his first two seasons.

Jefferson has repeatedly said that McCarthy can be the Vikings' QB1, but after watching Darnold's success this season, the question of "what if?" still lingers.

"It's definitely tough. It's tough to watch," Jefferson told USA Today Sports about Darnold's success after leaving the Vikings. "Of course, I love that he's in the Super Bowl. I'm happy for him, I want nothing but the best for him, especially the way his journey was at first, people doubting him and people not giving him the respect. Now they're giving him that respect. Now they're seeing that he's a top-tier quarterback in this league.

"Of course, selfishly, I wish that he had done that for us last year, but to see him blossom and bounce back right after last year and make it this year, I'm all happy for him, and I hope he wins. I'm rooting for Seattle and I think Seattle's going to win. I'll be rooting for him."

ESPN's Kevin Seifert contributed to this report.

PurplePorsche wrote:
Big off-season for JJM.

Justin Jefferson: Vikings likely better if Sam Darnold stayed
play
ESPN
Feb 2, 2026, 09:47 AM ET

The Minnesota Vikings struggled to a 9-8 mark this season, failing to make the playoffs after a five-win decline from the 2024 season, and wide receiver Justin Jefferson can't help but wonder if things would've been different had quarterback Sam Darnold been under center instead of oft-injured J.J. McCarthy.

"Everyone knows the difficulty of the quarterback position this year, how we were dealt it," Jefferson told USA Today Sports. "But having a quarterback that already had a season under his belt with us, knew the plays, knew the playbook, knew the players, throwing to me, Jordan Addison, T.J. Hockenson, all these guys, I definitely feel like we would have done better."

Justin Jefferson and Sam Darnold found chemistry in their only season together with the Vikings in 2024, combining for 103 receptions for 1,533 yards and 10 touchdowns. Matt Krohn-Imagn Images
The Vikings signed Darnold in 2024 as insurance until McCarthy, their quarterback of the future, was ready. But after McCarthy suffered a season-ending injury in preseason, Darnold, under coach Kevin O'Connell's guidance, blossomed in the Vikings' scheme, leading Minnesota to 14 wins after winning a total of 21 games in his previous six seasons. He ranked fifth in the NFL in passing yards (4,319) and touchdown passes (35) while earning his first career Pro Bowl invitation.

The Vikings did not re-sign him after the 2024 season, however, and Darnold wound up leading the Seattle Seahawks to Super Bowl LX in the first season of a three-year, $100.5 million deal.

While Darnold flourished with the Seahawks, McCarthy again was hampered by myriad injuries, playing just 52% of the Vikings' snaps this season and attempting only 243 passes. He has missed a total of 25 games over his first two seasons.

Jefferson has repeatedly said that McCarthy can be the Vikings' QB1, but after watching Darnold's success this season, the question of "what if?" still lingers.

"It's definitely tough. It's tough to watch," Jefferson told USA Today Sports about Darnold's success after leaving the Vikings. "Of course, I love that he's in the Super Bowl. I'm happy for him, I want nothing but the best for him, especially the way his journey was at first, people doubting him and people not giving him the respect. Now they're giving him that respect. Now they're seeing that he's a top-tier quarterback in this league.

"Of course, selfishly, I wish that he had done that for us last year, but to see him blossom and bounce back right after last year and make it this year, I'm all happy for him, and I hope he wins. I'm rooting for Seattle and I think Seattle's going to win. I'll be rooting for him."

ESPN's Kevin Seifert contributed to this report.

I read this piece yesterday. 

Thought to myself "duh of course a 7 year vet is going to play better than a 22 year old"

It's this kind of stuff that I hope he just ignores or is able to not take it too seriously.

purplefaithful wrote:

I read this piece yesterday. 

Thought to myself "duh of course a 7 year vet is going to play better than a 22 year old"

It's this kind of stuff that I hope he just ignores or is able to not take it too seriously.

if he is reading any of it he needs to be counseled to the contrary,  SM and the press are a poison that really serves very little usefulness to the rational truth. He needs to be listening to his coaches and thats about it.  everyone else is going to be a distraction,  he also needs to learn to leave the work stuff at work so it doesnt negatively affect his family life... especially if he truly does struggle with mental issues,  he needs his family time to be a safe space from the heavy weight of a professional career and the mind fuck that can be at times.

I keep thinking about this--

If McCarthy was on another NFL team, and had gone through all of what he's gone through in the last 18 months, and been jerked around by not just injuries but also it sounds like, the team who drafted him... AND if that other team was ready to cut ties with him after less than 2 years when he's barely 23 years old, AND if the Vikings 'needed' a QB-- Would McCarthy not be a solid option to try and go get for KO? The Vikings would be silly to trade him away, even if they do go get another QB. Unless he demands it, I suppose.

Another angle--

If you're KO right now, what do you do? What's his best play here?

Go hard after a QB upgrade? Bring in competition and bet that McCarthy can win the job? Or go all-in with McCarthy again. Man that last option would be scary so I'm guessing they'll go with Option A or B. And if that's the case, how much and when does the Whisperer tell McCarthy about the team's plans? If the team does upgrade, can they salvage the relationship or will they have to trade him for peanuts? The media weirdly doesn't report much on these kinds of matters but there's a reason KO is making the big bucks. Time to earn em.

And now this story about how we were on the cusp of trading him to the Raiders before the season started for 2nd and 3rd round picks.

I would looove to hear from Kwesi after the fact and hear about who was really driving these decisions

supafreak84 wrote:
And now this story about how we were on the cusp of trading him to the Raiders before the season started for 2nd and 3rd round picks. I would looove to hear from Kwesi after the fact and hear about who was really driving these decisions

^^^

Was that b4 or after they let Darnold and Jones walk?

purplefaithful wrote:

^^^

Was that b4 or after they let Darnold and Jones walk?

I dont think the story holds water,  who trades a top 10 draft pick QB after only 1 year ( of recovery ) for a couple day 2 picks?  even if they had planned on keeping one or the other of those QBs,  you still dont dump JJM for low value while he is still early into his rookie deal.  If nothing else you keep him around,  hope he shows good in what are likely back up QB opportunities, and he nets you a couple first rounders after a year or two.  I just dont buy the story.

pattersaur wrote:
I keep thinking about this--

If McCarthy was on another NFL team, and had gone through all of what he's gone through in the last 18 months, and been jerked around by not just injuries but also it sounds like, the team who drafted him... AND if that other team was ready to cut ties with him after less than 2 years when he's barely 23 years old, AND if the Vikings 'needed' a QB-- Would McCarthy not be a solid option to try and go get for KO? The Vikings would be silly to trade him away, even if they do go get another QB. Unless he demands it, I suppose.

I am not comparing JJM to him, but this could easily be Will Levis described above.

JimmyinSD wrote:

I dont think the story holds water,  who trades a top 10 draft pick QB after only 1 year ( of recovery ) for a couple day 2 picks?  even if they had planned on keeping one or the other of those QBs,  you still dont dump JJM for low value while he is still early into his rookie deal.  If nothing else you keep him around,  hope he shows good in what are likely back up QB opportunities, and he nets you a couple first rounders after a year or two.  I just dont buy the story.

^^^
Me either....

JimmyinSD wrote:

I dont think the story holds water,  who trades a top 10 draft pick QB after only 1 year ( of recovery ) for a couple day 2 picks?  even if they had planned on keeping one or the other of those QBs,  you still dont dump JJM for low value while he is still early into his rookie deal.  If nothing else you keep him around,  hope he shows good in what are likely back up QB opportunities, and he nets you a couple first rounders after a year or two.  I just dont buy the story.

The Cardinals traded Josh Rosen, who was a top 10 pick, after only a year for a 2nd and 5th round picks. So it's happened and there's precedent. If McCarthy doesn't improve, we might have wished we made that deal

purplefaithful wrote:

^^^

Was that b4 or after they let Darnold and Jones walk?

It was before apparently, as OConnell favored keeping Darnold while Kwesi wanted to move forward with McCarthy

supafreak84 wrote:

The Cardinals traded Josh Rosen, who was a top 10 pick, after only a year for a 2nd and 5th round picks. So it's happened and there's precedent. If McCarthy doesn't improve, we might have wished we made that deal

It was before apparently, as OConnell favored keeping Darnold while Kwesi wanted to move forward with McCarthy

IIRC Rosen looked pretty bad,  but at least had a body of work to support moving on early,  with JJM there was nothing.  Also they moved on to take another rookie to develop,  not turn it back over to a high dollar veteran.

There is a precedent,  but not entirely the same situation,  and still a dumb move if we had done it IMO. 

Ironically they were both taken 10th overall.

JimmyinSD wrote:

IIRC Rosen looked pretty bad,  but at least had a body of work to support moving on early,  with JJM there was nothing.  Also they moved on to take another rookie to develop,  not turn it back over to a high dollar veteran.

There is a precedent,  but not entirely the same situation,  and still a dumb move if we had done it IMO. 

Ironically they were both taken 10th overall.

It’s still a dumb move if the Vikings were to trade him today. He’s a top ten draft pick QB who’s had 9 starts.

pattersaur wrote:

It’s still a dumb move if the Vikings were to trade him today. He’s a top ten QB who’s had 9 starts.

With stats that compare pretty favorably against his draft class first 9 games.

Canthony wrote:

With stats that compare pretty favorably against his draft class first 9 games.

in fairness,  how many of that draft class had the weapons at his disposal that JJM has though?  this O was QB ready and he really should have decent numbers despite being a newbie,  also he had 2 full offseasons before his first 9 games, and a year of sitting and studying the O behind a veteran,   most of the others didnt have that luxury so its really hard to play that comparison game.

kind of like all the guys that are setting records for their clubs... in 17 games,  big whoop!  ya got to compare apples to apples.

this is not knocking on JJM,  I am simply pointing out that rosy stats against his peers, are not really that unexpected all things considered.

JimmyinSD wrote:

in fairness,  how many of that draft class had the weapons at his disposal that JJM has though?  this O was QB ready and he really should have decent numbers despite being a newbie,  also he had 2 full offseasons before his first 9 games, and a year of sitting and studying the O behind a veteran,   most of the others didnt have that luxury so its really hard to play that comparison game.

kind of like all the guys that are setting records for their clubs... in 17 games,  big whoop!  ya got to compare apples to apples.

this is not knocking on JJM,  I am simply pointing out that rosy stats against his peers, are not really that unexpected all things considered.

Yeah maybe, I really hope KOC allows us to see it next year. I have my doubts, however. Caleb is feast or famine. Looks HOF at times. Others, looks lost. Hes young. I have next to no confidence that Daniels will make it. Maybe its the team around him. Maye has a good set up where he is at. Maye has not looked good this post season, downright bad many times to be honest. Nix was blessed with the perfect system. JJ can make throws that Nix won't ever be able to make though. JJ can make a throw and you look and say, WTF. How did he make that throw. Something I don't think Nix has. 

I just hope KOC continues to work with JJ and lets him play next year at only 23. (STILL the youngest QB in the league)