Sam Darnold, the new quarterback for the Minnesota Vikings, is competing for the starting spot with rookie JJ McCarthy. Back in March, the Vikings also brought in veteran QB Sam Darnold on a one-year deal.
What does this mean? There’s a QB competition unfolding in Eagan and Sam Darnold isn’t interested in losing any snaps to rookie J.J. McCarthy, who he knows is the future franchise quarterback. But just like what’s been reported, the J.J. is going to have to take QB1 from Darnold. Nothing will be given to him.
Minnesota Vikings QB competition: Sam Darnold vs J.J. McCarthy
Today, we got more evidence that Sam Darnold is serious about starting for the Minnesota Vikings. While many veteran players are taking this week off, Darnold is at TCO Performance Center practicing with the team during the final week of OTAs. You can see Darnold in a couple of the pictures take yesterday, that are now on the Vikings’ website.
Sam Darnold spent last season with the San Francisco 49ers, who unfortunately lost to the Kansas City Chiefs in the Super Bowl. Throughout the season, Darnold played the role of backup quarterback to Brock Purdy. He did look much improved in the few snaps he took. Improved enough for multiple teams to bid on him this offseason, as a tweener starter.
To a lot of Vikings fans, Darnold seems to be filling the role of a bridge quarterback. Essentially, he’s expected to hold down the fort for the team this season while JJ McCarthy, the up-and-coming talent, develops.
It’s reassuring to see him sticking around this week, still serving as a mentor to McCarthy while also growing his relationship with teammates and coaches, as he learns a new system himself.
