The Vikings didn’t accidentally walk away from safer QB paths; they actively chose one. Fresh off a 14-win season, Minnesota let Sam Darnold go, watched Daniel Jones sign elsewhere, and quietly passed on Aaron Rodgers. That decision wasn’t about money. It was about a bet on a player and a timeline.
“They opted for J.J. McCarthy to be the starter of a team that won 14 games a season ago,” reported The Athletic.
The Vikings chose this path. They opted for J.J. McCarthy to be the starter of a team that won 14 games a season ago.
But what are fair expectations for McCarthy in his first real season of NFL action? pic.twitter.com/BZdSOLYTVC
— The Athletic (@TheAthletic) May 13, 2025
Why the Vikings Chose J.J. McCarthy for Their Long-Term Bet?
Minnesota Vikings, JJ McCarthy, NFL
Nov 9, 2025; Minneapolis, Minnesota, USA; Minnesota Vikings quarterback J.J. McCarthy (9) drops back to pass against the Baltimore Ravens in the second quarter at U.S. Bank Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Brad Rempel-Imagn Images
The Vikings sought a long-term solution, not a short-term fix. The 22-year-old had draft capital and upside that aligned with Minnesota’s roster construction. Front office brass believed J.J. McCarthy’s ceiling outweighed the known-but-limited profiles of Sam Darnold or Daniel Jones, and they weren’t sold that Aaron Rodgers fixed the long-term picture. That calculus, picking growth over proven mediocrity, is why they doubled down on McCarthy.
Coaches weighed development time vs. immediate production. McCarthy’s accuracy and reads are imperfect now. Still, staffers told reporters they feared shelving him another year might stunt progress more than help it.Dianna Russini framed it bluntly: the team worried that another season on the bench wouldn’t accelerate his growth. That line of thinking pushed the Vikings to let other options walk and lean into their internal plan.
Minnesota’s defense and skill corps were built to win yesterday. The front office figured a raw-but-talented passer could grow into that supporting cast. So instead of trading for a veteran who might cap upside, they accepted early growing pains in exchange for sustained potential. It’s an identity play as much as a personal one.
The gamble has risk. McCarthy’s starts have been uneven, and injuries have complicated development. But the decision to choose J.J. McCarthy over other QB options was deliberate, not accidental. It’s a bet on timeline, upside, and franchise control. If he leaps, Minnesota looks prescient. If he doesn’t, the front office will have to answer why they chose potential over the safer, shorter path.