Daily Norseman
Losing that game really sucked because it was there to be won. In my opinion, the play of the QB doomed the offense on some critical plays. There were a couple of plays that seemed boneheaded. You really do not expect a veteran QB to do dumb things or not see a player in the flat that is wide open (expecially when it may have been the first read). This season is beginning to turn and it might get uglier. By the time JJ comes back the team could be looking further up at other teams in the playoff hunt. That will put more pressure on JJ which is tough but it comes with the territory and those pay checks.
It is fair to wonder if the Vikings made the right decision this offseason at the QB position. It is not saying they would give up on JJ but they could have easily given him another year to actually practice on the scout team against the first string defense all season (when they had the chance). Plus, he may have gotten in due to injury. Sam Darnold and Daniel Jones are playing fairly well so far. Darnold and Jones are 5th and 7th in passing yards and 5th and 9th in passing yards respectively. Aaron Rodgers is 10th in passer rating.
https://www.espn.com/nfl/stats/player/_/table/passing/sort/QBRating/dir/desc
I will not debate the contract of Darnold and whether it was doable because it was. I could see them not wanting to go multiple years on him. But a one year deal to Jones or Rodgers would likely have seen the offense do better.
I would also say that the free agent moves seemed like they were “going all in” especially with the Kelly, Allen, Hargrave, Smith, and Jones signings. I mean, if you are going to roll with JJ and allow for any struggles then why not try to with more younger free agents?
A little note: I have no clue how any free agent discussion went or the offers made. It could simply be players chose to go somewhere else.
Now we have to hope and pray that JJ McCarthy comes back and plays fairly well. I want to believe it will happen but there simply is not much evidence thus far besides the one quarter in Chicago. That is all. The rest is just smoke being blown.
As Bum Phillips use to say (paraprasing) … We could be in more trouble than a little bit!
We’re nearing the midway point of the 2025 NFL season, and the Minnesota Vikings may soon be on their third starting quarterback of the year. Coach Kevin O’Connell confirmed as much this week, admitting undrafted rookie Max Brosmer is “an option” in the event Carson Wentz can’t stay on the field as J.J. McCarthy’s replacement.
Just like the Vikings drew it up, right?
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This season was...
