PFF’s Best Offseason Move for Vikings Is a Head-Turner

Ron Chenoy-USA TODAY Sports.

The selection of J.J. McCarthy in the NFL draft? How about Dallas Turner? Letting Kirk Cousins leave? Maybe signing outside linebacker Jonathan Greenard?

PFF’s Best Offseason Move for Vikings Is a Head-Turner

Nope — none of those qualify for the Minnesota Vikings’ best offseason move, according to Pro Football Focus. The football-grading outfit claimed this week that Minnesota’s free-agent acquisition of Sam Darnold was the best offseason maneuver for the purple team.

qb1
Kirby Lee-USA TODAY Sports.

“The Vikings made some big splashes by re-signing Justin Jefferson and drafting J.J. McCarthy and Dallas Turner, but the Sam Darnold addition is the one that could have a big payout,” PFF’s Trevor Sikkema explained.

If Vikings fans were polled, the result would likely indicate the selection of the aforementioned McCarthy as the top move from the last six months. That — or Justin Jefferson’s long-term extension.

Best Offseason Move
Rich Barnes-USA TODAY Sports.

Sikkema added, “Darnold will not be the franchise quarterback, but signing him for 2024 gives the Vikings flexibility to not rush McCarthy into action while the team remains competitive. For the flexibility and patience he allows Minnesota to have with McCarthy, Darnold was worth the $10 million this year.”

Darnold is on tap to lead Minnesota as the QB1 in September, though McCarthy may have a chance to score an upset at training camp and in the preseason. McCarthy, though, is an underdog to win the starter’s job out of the gate in 2024, and per PFF, well, that’s okay.

The veteran passer took over in March for Kirk Cousins, who left for a fat contract courtesy of the Atlanta Falcons. Cousins earned a four-year, $180 million contract from that franchise, and as a patchover quarterback, Darnold signed in Minnesota for one year and $10 million. 

wager
Brett Davis-USA TODAY Sports.

About three weeks ago, Vikings safety Camryn Bynum — who should have decent knowledge of the QB1 situation — insisted that Minnesota has an honest-to-goodness summer quarterback battle on its hands. “Having the two new quarterbacks, it’s fun being able to play against them and see what they bring to the table. They’re both looking really good,” Bynum told NFL Network on June 21st. “It’s exciting to see them compete. They’re both looking good, so I can’t put one over the other. I just say they both look ready. Whatever coaches decide, I trust them and their decision.”

Others, like former Green Bay Packers quarterback Kurt Benkert, have floated hot takes involving Darnold as of late. Benkert tweeted in June, about 10 weeks before the start of the NFL’s regular season: “If Sam Darnold starts every game for the Vikings, he will throw for more yards than Caleb Williams this season. Save this tweet.”

McCarthy, who turned 21 in January, has the chance to watch and learn for a year or so before taking the QB1 baton. Some teams immediately thrust quarterbacks into action; such is not the case for Minnesota.

vikings
Kirby Lee-USA TODAY Sports.

And if PFF is correct, Darnold as the bridge quarterback wasn’t a bad idea at all.

The Vikings are expected to win about seven games this season.


Dustin Baker is a political scientist who graduated from the University of Minnesota in 2007. Subscribe to his daily YouTube Channel, VikesNow. He hosts a podcast with Bryant McKinnie, which airs every Wednesday with Raun Sawh and Sal Spice. His MIN obsession dates back to 1996. Listed guilty pleasures: Peanut Butter Ice Cream, ‘The Sopranos,’ Basset Hounds, and The Doors (the band).

All statistics provided by Pro Football Reference / Stathead; all contractual information provided by OverTheCap.com.