The Minnesota Vikings are in search of their next franchise quarterback following Kirk Cousins’ departure. In a move to fill the void, they secured Sam Darnold with a lucrative but short-term contract.
Despite this acquisition, many observers see Darnold merely as a temporary solution until they find a long-term successor.
NFL reporter Carmen Vitali weighed in on the situation, suggesting that Darnold is poised to start at the beginning of the upcoming season. She emphasized the significance of the Vikings investing $10 million in a quarterback, indicating a strong expectation for him to lead the team in meaningful games.
“My hot take is that Sam Darnold is going to start the season for the Minnesota Vikings.”
Vitali also highlighted the coaching staff’s awareness that any rookie quarterback they select may require time to develop before assuming the starting role.
In her view, this presents an ideal scenario for a prospect like J.J. McCarthy. While some debate McCarthy’s value as a potential top-five pick, Vitali believes the Vikings would be willing to make significant moves to secure him if he proves to be their future franchise quarterback.
Presently, Kevin O’Connell’s team holds the 11th and 23rd picks in the draft and is actively exploring trade options to move up. They could potentially bundle these selections to climb into the top five, with teams like the Arizona Cardinals (4th pick) and Los Angeles Chargers (5th pick) being potential trade partners.
Regardless of the draft outcome, it appears that Darnold is slated to receive another opportunity as a starting quarterback, albeit possibly for a limited duration.
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