Vikings reporter discusses J.J. McCarthy, Sam Darnold QB competition

Many fans have assumed and probably hoped that Minnesota Vikings head coach Kevin O'Connell will start rookie quarterback J.J. McCarthy over Sam Darnold for the regular-season opener at the New York Giants on Sept. 8. 

For a piece published Thursday, though, Vikings reporter Kevin Seifert of ESPN reminded such individuals that Minnesota "signed Darnold for a reason," long before the club made McCarthy the 10th overall pick of this year's draft. 

"The Vikings don't view Darnold simply as someone they can play if McCarthy isn't ready for Week 1," Seifert explained. "It's more accurate to understand him as a player the Vikings believe they can compete with as McCarthy moves through an organized developmental plan that prioritizes his long-term future." 

Will Ragatz of FanNation's Inside the Vikings noted this week that McCarthy had numerous moments earlier in organized team activities "that reminded you just how much learning and growth is ahead of him" before he will be ready to face a live NFL defense in a meaningful game. Private quarterbacks coach John Beck previously noted that "failure during some of these camps should be welcomed with open arms" when it comes to the first-year pro. 

As for Darnold, it was repeatedly said last spring that he was "the most talented thrower of the football" on the roster of the San Francisco 49ers at that time. He ultimately beat Trey Lance in a competition for San Francisco's QB2 job but attempted just 46 regular-season passes in his only campaign with the club. 

"Does that mean the Vikings have ruled out McCarthy as their Week 1 starter? Of course not," Seifert continued. "But they want his ascension to be organic -- based on his own aptitude and readiness -- rather than forced by a lack of alternatives."

Darnold is quite familiar with MetLife Stadium, home of the Giants and New York Jets, as he spent his first three NFL seasons with the Jets before they shipped him to the Carolina Panthers in the spring of 2021. Individuals within the 49ers clearly wanted it known 12 months ago they were comfortable with Darnold potentially starting games depending on how Brock Purdy recovered from elbow surgery. It's still early in the process, but the Vikings seemingly feel similarly about Darnold ahead of Memorial Day.