Vikings HC Kevin O'Connell puts QB drama to rest with eight words

"We drafted him 10th overall for a reason," O'Connell said of McCarthy in a Feb. 7 interview with CBS Sports' Bryant McFadden.

"I believe Sam has played himself into being kind of the marquee free-agent quarterback available. I do believe that his teammates and coaches and our front office and myself, we would love to have Sam back in Minnesota," O'Connell added. "But at the same time we do feel very confident in J.J. McCarthy. He's healthy."

O'Connell's mass exposure in the media following the announcement of a five-year contract extension and winning NFL Coach of the Year has put his words on the matter under a microscope.

He's maintained through several interviews that Darnold, after throwing 4,319 yards passing and 35 touchdowns en route to his first Pro Bowl nod, has "earned the right" to explore free agency but there would remain an ongoing dialogue with his agents approaching free agency in March.

"Sam knows how I personally feel about him. I know he loves being a Minnesota Viking. Let's see what these next few weeks look like and as we have dialogue all of it will be really two-fold — where we're thinking about obviously having the best possible team in 2025 in Minnesota that we can, but I also care very much about Sam and I want what's best for him," O'Connell said.

The Vikings' confidence in McCarthy will be put to the test ahead of free agency as Minnesota must make the final call on Darnold.

If McCarthy gets the green light, it's unlikely Minnesota would be willing to match the type of offers he'll receive in free agency — a similar fate the Vikings chose with Kirk Cousins a year ago.