Turns Out Vikings Fans Had It Right All Along
Twenty months ago, Minnesota Vikings fans engaged in a healthy discussion about who the team should draft at quarterback to lead the franchise into the future: Drake Maye or J.J. McCarthy. A Twitter poll suggested the group overwhelmingly wanted Maye over McCarthy, even if it meant a massive trade. As it turns out, fans nailed it.
Back in March 2024, we polled Minnesota Vikings fans about their quarterback preference in the draft — and they nailed it. The verdict is indisputable.
Maye is excelling, leading the NFL in the MVP race, and McCarthy is on the polar opposite end of the spectrum.
Vikings Fans Correctly Wanted Drake Maye over J.J. McCarthy
He may not have been gettable, but fans knew the eventual outcome.
The Poll
Not long ago, the water-cooler chat over “Maye or McCarthy?” dominated all things Vikings. Minnesota later rolled with McCarthy, unable to trade up the 2024 draftboard for Maye, as the New England Patriots stood pat. Pun intended.
We asked fans in March 2024 for their Maye-or-McCarthy preference, assuming that Maye could be attainable via trade.
Over 2,000 people voted, and Maye took the prize.
And 78% on social media is close to a landslide.
A Draft Pick Not For Sale
The rumor mill — the credible version from nationally reputable sources — claimed Minnesota wanted Maye during the 2024 NFL Draft. It’s just that the Patriots wouldn’t budge. Why would they? They currently employ the NFL’s best young quarterback, with few debates from anyone.
Back in March and April of that year, trade prices for Maye zigzagged all over the place, starting with two 1st-Rounders and a veteran player. Before too long, the price has reportedly risen to three 1st-Rounders and maybe a mid-round pick.
Just before the draft, the rumor mill went full tilt into madness, suggesting the Patriots would only budge for three 1st-Rounders and Christian Darrisaw. At that price, Minnesota or no team could avoid the risk on a quarterback who may not materialize.
Maye in Pole Position to Win MVP
Through 13 weeks, Maye is the frontrunner to win the league MVP award. He has a -125 moneyline, which isn’t overwhelming, but is extremely impressive because the guy is in just his second year of duty.
Matthew Stafford previously led the way, but he and his team suffered a terrible loss to the Carolina Panthers, with Stafford delivering back-to-back pick-sixes to the Panthers’ defense along the way.
With the season winding down, Maye is on pace for 4,462 passing yards, 33 total touchdowns, and 8 interceptions. Maye is also producing the MVP-caliber season with a decent wide receiving corps, not an elite group.
McCarthy Hoping to Avoid Bust Fate
While Maye closes in on an MVP award in his second season, McCarthy is desperately hoping to prevent a bust label attached to his name, an assignment that is not going swimmingly for the 22-year-old.
McCarthy ranks at the bottom of the NFL per nearly every efficiency metric through six starts. It’s not going well. And McCarthy isn’t just taking young quarterback lumps; he’s performing like one of the worst quarterbacks in NFL history through six starts.
Two wildly contrasting paths: Vikings fans endorsed the guy who could win MVP in his second year. They got the guy who resembles a bust in his second year.
Bleacher Report on the MVP Case for Maye
After Maye’s team defeated the lowly New York Giants on Monday Night Football, BR’s Alex Kay shaped the case for Maye as the league MVP.
He wrote, “Drake Maye was brilliant yet again in Week 13, leading his New England Patriots past the New York Giants on Monday Night Football. The 33-15 win—the team’s 10th consecutive victory—not only kept New England ahead in the race for the AFC’s No. 1 seed, but also cemented Maye’s status as the favorite for the 2025 NFL MVP award.”
“Things won’t get easier for Maye over the final three games either, with New England set to take on the Baltimore Ravens, New York Jets and Miami Dolphins in consecutive weeks to close out the campaign. It will take Maye playing close to perfect football during this span for him to clearly outclass a proven star like Stafford, whose Rams take on the lowly Arizona Cardinals and reeling Atlanta Falcons in three of their final five games.”
Maye is just 23 years old.
Kay added, “Voters may give the MVP edge to Stafford should the neck-and-neck race finish as tight as it currently stands—providing the venerable Super Bowl LVI winner with a crowning career capstone achievement, one of the few honors that eluded Stafford over his first 16 seasons in the league.”
“Considering that equally strong arguments can be made for both signal-callers at this juncture, it’s imperative that Maye shows out over the final month of the season and leaves no doubt that he’s the better player if he’s going to be named the 2025 NFL MVP.”
Sometimes, fans know their stuff. Maye over McCarthy was absolutely the right recommendation, though Maye wasn’t necessarily there for the taking.
You must be logged in to post a comment.