Original QB Plan for Vikings Still Very Much Intact
Minnesota Vikings rookie quarterback J.J. McCarthy has absolutely entranced fans at training camp — so much so that some have pumped the brakes on Darnold’s probable forecast as the Week 1 starter.
Original QB Plan for Vikings Still Very Much Intact
But according to SI.com’s Albert Breer, the Vikings’ 2024 quarterback plan is very much intact.
“J.J. McCarthy, unsurprisingly, has shown himself a fast study. The accuracy and arm the Vikings saw on tape are there, as are the intangibles—his work ethic in particular,” Breer wrote Monday about McCarthy’s maturation. “That said, Minnesota is still working through his fundamentals and footwork in accordance with their scheme, and that, again, as expected, is taking some time.”
From the moment Minnesota drafted McCarthy in late April, the team’s leaders have preached patience, insisting the young Wolverine won’t be thrust into immediate action “just because.”
“So progress is coming steadily, but Minnesota’s been pretty committed to its plan to bring McCarthy along step by step, with Sam Darnold still taking the majority of first-team reps (and showing the arm talent of a former third overall pick) and giving them the flexibility to sit the rookie, if that’s what’s best,” Breer continued. “Also big for McCarthy’s development (and Darnold’s, too)? Getting to face Brian Flores’s varied defensive scheme in practice every day.”
The Vikings have 34 days to decide on a Week 1 starter, as the regular season kicks off on September 8th at the New York Giants. Oddsmakers align with Breer’s musings, forecasting Darnold as the starter, at least at the beginning of the season.
Last week, head coach Kevin O’Connell told reporters about the quarterback depth chart, “As far as that depth chart in that room, I think it’s clear and obvious — like you guys do; you make the commitment to come out every day — you see it’s pretty darn even between Sam and J.J. And in many cases, J.J. getting a couple more [reps] with our ability to add some developmental stuff for the guys down the line.”
Declaring the battle as “even” isn’t a situation most Vikings fans had on their radar in the spring. Most believed Darnold would shine above all else while hoping McCarthy would show glimpses of competence as a 21-year-old rookie. However, McCarthy has very much looked the part of a rookie who could start out of the gate.
O’Connell also declared his belief in “playing the best player that gives you the best chance to win.” That tidbit gave McCarthy enthusiasts hope that he could take the QB1 baton against the Giants in September.
Right after the draft, ESPN’s Kevin Seifert mentioned a checklist that would be used in application to McCarthy’s game-readiness. “The Vikings will follow an individualized development plan they created for each of the quarterbacks they considered drafting, one that requires McCarthy to hit specific benchmarks and gives coach Kevin O’Connell full authority to make the timing decision,” Seifert explained on April 26th.
The takeaway? Breer claims McCarthy basically looks the part of a promising rookie, but Minnesota may not be in a hurry to insert him into the starting lineup — which has been the working theory all along.
Another caveat involves early-season timing. Just because, in theory, McCarthy doesn’t earn the QB1 job for Week 1 doesn’t mean he can’t take over in late September or early October.
The Vikings are expected to release a depth chart this week, which will probably feature Darnold as the QB1.
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Dustin Baker is a political scientist who graduated from the University of Minnesota in 2007. Subscribe to his daily YouTube Channel, VikesNow. The show features guests, analysis, and opinion on all things related to the purple team, with 4-7 episodes per week. His Vikings obsession dates back to 1996. Listed guilty pleasures: Peanut Butter Ice Cream, ‘The Sopranos,’ Basset Hounds, and The Doors (the band). He follows the NBA as closely as the NFL.
All statistics provided by Pro Football Reference / Stathead; all contractual information provided by OverTheCap.com.
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