Editor’s be aware: This ran Tuesday and has been up to date with the information that Minnesota Vikings quarterback J.J. McCarthy is completed for the season after present process surgical procedure on his torn proper meniscus.
Minnesota Vikings quarterback J.J. McCarthy has an damage that may price him his rookie season, a deflating flip of occasions for everybody who had been enthused by his preseason debut Saturday within the group’s 24-23 victory over the Las Vegas Raiders.
McCarthy underwent surgical procedure Wednesday.
The information solidifies Sam Darnold’s position because the starter, fairly than a bridge QB till McCarthy is prepared.
ESPN Vikings reporter Kevin Seifert, draft analyst Jordan Reid and nationwide reporter Jeremy Fowler check out the affect of McCarthy’s damage.
What does the damage imply for McCarthy’s improvement as a passer?
Lacking prolonged time might be a big blow to his on-field improvement. One of many greatest questions on McCarthy as a prospect coming into the draft needed to do along with his inexperience as a passer. He wasn’t requested to shoulder the load at Michigan fairly often, as he had solely 25 or extra passing makes an attempt in 12 of his 28 profession begins for the Wolverines, so he wants all of the dwell throws and snaps he can get.
McCarthy — who was drafted No. 10 total on account of his accuracy and upside — will have the ability to achieve psychological reps by sitting and watching behind Darnold, however the on-field reps might be unimaginable to copy as he makes an attempt to be taught and execute O’Connell’s scheme. — Reid
Will the Vikings add one other QB to their room?
There is not a urgent want so as to add a quarterback in Minnesota. Darnold (63 profession TD passes, 56 interceptions with a 21-35 profession file) is entrenched because the starter, and the group is assured in Nick Mullens’ skill to provide in spot responsibility. The 29-year-old Mullens has 20 profession begins over a six-year profession with the 49ers, Browns and Vikings. And Minnesota hasn’t completely given up on Jaren Corridor, final yr’s fifth-round choose who began twice in 2023.
Apart from Ryan Tannehill, the choices are scarce on the free agent market. It would not shock to see the Vikings a minimum of consider the surface choices, however they’ve sufficient expertise to maintain with out McCarthy. — Fowler
What does this imply for WR Justin Jefferson and the remainder of the offense?
Little or no. Darnold has been on monitor all summer time to be the Vikings’ No. 1 quarterback, a minimum of to open the season, as McCarthy was being introduced alongside on a methodical timetable.
Darnold and Jefferson have begun establishing a transparent rapport in coaching camp practices, with Jefferson noting Darnold’s skill to “put contact on the ball right here and there” and understanding “what pace he must throw the ball and the way he must throw the ball.”
O’Connell has been saying all summer time that he needs to emphasise the operating sport regardless of who’s his beginning quarterback. Even with out McCarthy, Aaron Jones stays on monitor to pair up with Ty Chandler for 20-plus touches per sport between the 2 of them. — Seifert
What does this imply for the Vikings’ 2024 competitiveness?
The damage strikes Darnold from a place-holder for McCarthy to a longer-term starter. Pretty much as good as Darnold has appeared throughout spring and summer time practices — and for all of the chemistry he has developed with Jefferson and nonetheless being solely 27 years outdated — there stays a good diploma of uncertainty about how that may all translate in regular-season video games.
Darnold has a 21-35 file as an NFL starter in admittedly unideal conditions with the New York Jets and Carolina Panthers, and he spent the 2023 season as a backup with the San Francisco 49ers. If Darnold has a troublesome go early within the season, or if he will get injured, the Vikings will not have McCarthy to alleviate him. As an alternative, the remaining quarterbacks on their roster are Mullens and Corridor, who had been 1-4 as starters for Minnesota in 2023. — Seifert
What does this imply for the 2025 offseason?
The Vikings are headed for a sequence of actually essential selections this offseason. McCarthy’s damage, on the very least, will make these selections tougher and will additional push out the timing of their quarterback transition.
The primary resolution is clear. Darnold is on a one-year contract. Will the Vikings be able to anoint him their 2025 starter? Or would they want Darnold — or one other veteran — to function a foil?
Secondly, each O’Connell and common supervisor Kwesi Adofo-Mensah are within the third yr of four-year contracts. They had been employed in 2022 partially to handle the transition from Kirk Cousins to the following beginning quarterback. If McCarthy is not in a position to set up himself in 2024, how will homeowners Zygi and Mark Wilf consider O’Connell and Adofo-Mensah? Will they provide market-level extensions or have them work in 2025 on the ultimate yr of their offers? — Seifert
