NFL personnel address Vikings' potential Sam Darnold, J.J. McCarthy dilemma

Quarterback Sam Darnold is flirting with giving individuals within the Minnesota Vikings quite a difficult decision months after the club made signal-caller J.J. McCarthy the 10th overall pick of this year's draft. 

Darnold, who signed a one-year contract during the offseason, has guided the Vikings to a 3-0 record with McCarthy recovering from the complete meniscus repair the rookie needed in August. 

For a piece published Tuesday, insider Armando Salguero of OutKick spoke with "several current and former NFL general managers and personnel department people" about how the Vikings should handle what could quickly become a unique situation. 

"They would be crazy to let him walk next offseason," a current general manager said about the Vikings and Darnold. "I'm not saying Sam's going to be the guy we're seeing right now for 17 games and into the playoffs. My guess is there will be some regression to what he's been in the past. But if he is what we're seeing, I hope the Vikings do nothing. S— the Vikings and their lucky quarterback signing."

According to Pro Football Reference, Darnold ended Week 3 ranked fifth in the NFL among qualified players with a 73.5 adjusted QBR, second with a 117.3 passer rating, first with eight touchdown passes and first with a 10.3 touchdown percentage on the season. At just 27 years old, it's possible Darnold hasn't yet reached his ceiling while working with Minnesota head coach and offensive guru Kevin O'Connell. 

"Not one personnel man OutKick was able to reach said they would allow Darnold to leave their organization without pushing to re-sign him first," Salguero wrote. "All of them said a known quantity in the building is more valuable than whatever potential and expectation the team might have for McCarthy. So to allow Darnold to walk is unwise."

That's all well and good, but referring to Darnold as a "known quantity" after he's played under O'Connell for only 12 quarters of meaningful in-game action is probably a stretch. 

After all, The Athletic's Mike Sando noted on Monday that Darnold started the 2021 season with the Carolina Panthers at 3-0 before things fell apart for the signal-caller and the organization that campaign. 

It's also worth mentioning that Darnold is already banged up and dealing with a bruised knee. If that issue negatively impacts his play beginning with this Sunday's matchup at the 2-1 Green Bay Packers, whispers about Minnesota possibly choosing Darnold over McCarthy in 2025 could quickly sound foolish.