Vikings Name J.J. McCarthy Starting Quarterback

Following a disappointing playoff performance against the Los Angeles Rams, the Minnesota Vikings appear poised to transition from Sam Darnold to rookie J.J. McCarthy as their starting quarterback. Darnold, who had a stellar regular season with 4,319 passing yards and 35 touchdowns, faltered in crucial moments during the playoffs, completing just over 53% of his passes and accumulating nine sacks in his last two games. Despite leading the Vikings to a franchise-record 14 wins, his recent struggles have raised doubts about his ability to perform in high-pressure situations. While Darnold's overall season was impressive, his playoff performances have led the Vikings to consider moving forward with McCarthy, the 10th overall pick in the 2024 draft, despite his own injury concerns. The Vikings face a tough decision regarding Darnold's future, as releasing him after such a successful season could have repercussions if McCarthy does not meet expectations. Ultimately, the Vikings seem ready to hand the reins to McCarthy as they focus on future success.