Could concerning J.J. McCarthy injury update cause Vikings to re-sign Sam Darnold?

The surgery isn't expected to affect McCarthy's timetable, but it may raise concerns about his durability. With that in mind, the Vikings should consider re-signing QB Sam Darnold — who is on a one-year, $10M deal — this offseason. 

The former New York Jets bust has proved he can be a competent starter in head coach Kevin O'Connell's system. In nine starts, Darnold is 7-2, is tied for the league's fourth-most TD passes (17) and ranks 13th in passing yards (2,141). 

The 2018 No. 3 overall pick has the Vikings in the thick of the playoff hunt. Minnesota would hold the No. 5 seed in the NFC if the season ended Wednesday night.

Even if McCarthy's recovery goes according to plan, the 27-year-old Darnold could still be a solid bridge QB who gives the Michigan product more time to develop.  

Assuming Minnesota wants to re-sign Darnold, it will face some competition. In their early top-25 free-agency rankings, ESPN's Matt Bowen and Jeremy Fowler listed Darnold at No. 8. 

Spotrac estimates his market value is a four-year deal worth $32.4M annually. QB-needy teams (the Las Vegas Raiders or Tennessee Titans) may be willing to give him a deal in a similar ballpark when he enters free agency. 

While money talks in free agency, few teams offer a better situation than Minnesota. The Vikings offense includes talented pass-catchers in wide receiver Justin Jefferson and tight end T.J. Hockenson.  

"I'm not taking a return to Minnesota completely off the table," Fowler wrote in his Wednesday column with Dan Graziano. "What if the Vikings win 12 games and make a playoff run? It's totally plausible, and perhaps Darnold would be open to another short-term deal."

Whether Darnold stays in Minnesota or not, having a fallback plan certainly wouldn't hurt the Vikings, especially when the QB of the future is already battling a nagging injury.