Sportsnaut
The Minnesota Vikings lost a Pro Bowl quarterback in Sam Darnold this offseason. However, one NFL analyst believes the team will actually be better in 2025 with JJ McCarthy despite never taking a regular-season snap in the league.
When the Vikings drafted McCarthy with the 10th overall pick in last year’s NFL Draft, the rookie starting in 2024 was a real possibility. However, after he suffered a torn meniscus in the preseason, it gave draft bust Sam Darnold one last chance to salvage his career. And he did that and then some last season.
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The 3rd overall pick in 2018 posted career highs across the board and earned Pro Bowl honors for the first time as he led Minnesota to a 14-3 record. However, the Vikings won’t have his services this year after he took a big-money offer from the Seattle Seahawks in NFL free agency. And after not adding a veteran QB this offseason, the starting job has now fallen back in McCarthy’s lap.
Many NFL analysts and insiders expect the Vikes to take a step back in 2025 without Darnold. However, The Athletic’s NFL analyst Jacob Robinson is predicting big things for the second-year QB and Minnesota.
“The Vikings are somehow better on paper than last year’s 14-win team. Blame their late-season collapse on the interior of their offensive line and Sam Darnold,” Robinson wrote. “Both are fixed. With the interior of their line drastically improved via free agency and the draft. While McCarthy, the No. 10 pick in 2024, should be an upgrade over Darnold.
“Pair an elite offense with one of the league’s best defenses — which remains almost fully intact — and you have a team that can hang with anyone.”
Minnesota added former Indianapolis Colts lineman Will Fries and Ryan Kelly in NFL free agency. Then they used their top pick in April on Ohio State lineman Donovan Jackson. They certainly improved their O-line this offseason.
However, it is still surprising that Robinson feels the young QB who hasn’t taken a regular season snap in the league last season will be better than one of the best signal callers last season.
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