Minnesota Vikings have named Sam Darnold as QB1, pitting JJ McCarthy at backup
EAGAN, MN– The Minnesota Vikings have named quarterback Sam Darnold as QB1 for the opening week. Spring activities have concluded for the Vikings and when asked about a quarterback in the lead, head coach Kevin O’Connell didn’t mince words.
“I would say Sam would be the guy I would look to based upon 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 really hit the ground running and really kind of taking advantage of a competitive situation,” McConnell told reporters.
Darnold, formerly a first-round pick by the New York Jets and more recently the backup signal-caller to Brock Purdy on the 49ers, it was clear that the Vikings were leaning towards him at the quarterback spot. After all, JJ McCarthy was viewed as somewhat of a raw prospect when coming out of Michigan. Darnold was signed to maximize his potential in the league, the former USC star never truly lived up to the hype in the league but Minnesota still believes there’s something salvageable.
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Following the loss of long-time franchise quarterback Kirk Cousins in free agency to the Atlanta Falcons, the team needed a veteran presence. Minnesota signed Darnold to a one-year, $10 million deal this offseason. The basis was for Darnold to kick things off and slowly segue to freshly-drafted quarterback JJ McCarthy. Whether that will be later on in the season or maybe not this year at all is yet to be seen.
Darnold started 38 games over three seasons with the Jets and brought the experience of 56 career starts to Minnesota, but will certainly get more. The team hasn’t been too impressed by McCarthy’s consistency, and even though he had the opportunity to seize the starting role– it was apparent that he will need more time to sit and learn. McCarthy struggled with reads at time during OTAs, and was thrust into a much more pass-heavy and complicated system than he had at Michigan.
“I have total understanding that we only control so much in this whole thing, and that’s what I’ve challenged the quarterbacks to do — control what you can, which is your preparation,” O’Connell said on what he wants to see from his QBs. “How detailed can you be? Can you stack good periods of practice together? Good days together? And before you know it, you’re looking up and it’s not about the camp you’ve had, but it’s about your readiness to help the Minnesota Vikings win.”
Darnold will try to secure some wins for a Minnesota team that has went through much transition this offseason. However, he has weapons– Jordan Addison and newly-extended Justin Jefferson will try to help Darnold out in the pass game.
