It has only been a few days since the Super Bowl was played and now the NFL transitions into full offseason mode. Talk about who teams should draft or what teams like the Minnesota Vikings should do in free agency will start to dominate conversations.
Listening to experts discuss what the Vikings should do at the quarterback position will be interesting this offseason. Minnesota can choose to bring Sam Darnold back, focus on J.J. McCarthy, or go with a free agent to be their signal caller for the 2025 NFL season.
A recent projection has the Vikings going in an interesting direction this offseason and not one that would be positive for the franchise.
J.J. McCarthy prediction would be a disaster for the Minnesota Vikings
Sports Illustrated's Connor Orr recently shared an article with one bold prediction for each NFL franchise this offseason and his forecast for the Vikings could set the team up for an epic disaster in 2025.
"The Vikings will not go into training camp with J.J. McCarthy as their projected starter."
Orr cites concern about McCarthy's recovery from his knee injury and the contract extension for head coach Kevin O'Connell as reasons Minnesota won't put the first-round pick in the 2024 NFL Draft in the starting lineup.
Although O'Connell's job is secure and word on McCarthy's recovery has been positive, there are plenty of reasons the purple and gold might want to reconsider any option other than going forward with their young quarterback.
Minnesota has quite a bit of salary cap space, but spending to bring in a veteran starter at quarterback would eat up funds that could be used to fill holes created by exiting free agents and upgrade the trenches.
There is also the question of whether or not there is a free-agent quarterback who would be inexpensive enough yet be a project that O'Connell can maximize as he did with Darnold last season.
It would make a lot more sense to move ahead with McCarthy penciled in as the starter with a veteran backup to act as an insurance policy and mentor. The difference in paying for a starter compared to a backup quarterback in today's NFL is huge and would allow the Vikings to improve their team in other areas while seeing what their young passer has to offer.
Remember that O'Connell isn't the only one tied to McCarthy. Minnesota general manager Kwesi Adofo-Mensah hasn't received an extension yet and needs to get some more hits in the draft to improve his resume. He has done well in free agency, but if McCarthy can be the starter and have a solid year in 2025, the Vikings would likely be excited to give their general manager a long-term extension.