Vikings reporter examines J.J. McCarthy and Sam Darnold’s quarterback duel.
By Zac Wassink. Last updated: 5/23/24.
Many supporters have speculated, and presumably hoped, that Minnesota Vikings head coach Kevin O’Connell will start rookie quarterback J.J. McCarthy over Sam Darnold in the regular season opener against the New York Giants on September 8.
In an article published Thursday, Vikings writer Kevin Seifert of ESPN reminded such people that Minnesota “signed Darnold for a reason,” long before the team selected McCarthy with the 10th overall choice in this year’s draft.
Will Ragatz of FanNation’s Inside the Vikings said this week that McCarthy had many moments previously in organized team activities “that reminded you just how much learning and growth is ahead of him” before facing a live NFL defense in a significant game. Private quarterbacks coach John Beck previously stated that “failure during some of these camps should be welcomed with open arms” for first-year professionals.
Darnold was consistently referred to as “the most talented thrower of the football” on the San Francisco 49ers’ squad last spring. He eventually defeated Trey Lance in a competition for San Francisco’s QB2 position, although he only attempted 46 regular-season passes in his one season with the team.
