The Vikings entered training camp with a quarterback battle between Sam Darnold and rookie J.J. McCarthy to see who would start in Week 1. That battle appears to have already come to an end. According to the team, McCarthy has torn his meniscus and will miss the remainder of the season after undergoing successful surgery.
The Vikings underwent a change a quarterback this offseason with Kirk Cousins departing for the Falcons. They signed Darnold to a one-year contract after he spent 2023 in a backup role with the 49ers. They also selected McCarthy with the 10th-overall pick in the Draft. Over his last two seasons in college, McCarthy combined to throw 44 touchdowns and just nine interceptions. He also chipped in eight total rushing touchdowns.
We will now see Darnold entrenched as Minnesota’s starting quarterback. A former bust with the Jets, Darnold has never thrown more than 19 touchdown passes in a season. He also began his career by throwing at least 11 interceptions in each of his first four seasons.
The good news for Darnold is that he isn’t short on weapons. Justin Jefferson and Jordan Addison are his top two wide receivers, while the Vikings improved at running back with Aaron Jones. Jones is adept at catching passes out of the backfield, totaling at least 47 receptions in a season four times during his career. Still, it’s likely going to be an uphill battle for the Vikings to make any noise in the NFC. DraftKings Sportsbook has their win total set at 6.5 for the season.
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