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Kevin O’Connell and the Minnesota Vikings will head into training camp and preseason action with an active quarterback competition raging. After signing veteran quarterback Sam Darnold in free agency and drafting J.J. McCarthy in the first round of the 2024 NFL Draft, fans are split on who they think will end up earning the Week 1 starting job.
As is the case when any quarterback is taken high in the draft, fans are excited to see McCarthy on the field. Many would like to see him get the starting nod over Darnold, who is much better than his entire career suggests. Darnold has improved a lot over the last few years from what he was as a young NFL quarterback.
With that being said, the competition is a very open one. O’Connell will start the quarterback that gives his team the best chance to win. It appears that we may have a general idea of who that will end up being for the Minnesota Vikings to begin the year.
Minnesota Vikings’ QB Competition Gets Another Big Update
The Purple Persuasion took to X, former known as Twitter, to share an update about the competition. According to the page, most Vikings’ reports do not expect McCarthy to be the Week 1 starter. At this point in time, the odds are +120 that the rookie will get the starting nod in Week 1.
Most of the #Vikings beat writers don’t think J.J. McCarthy has a chance at starting week 1. Don’t take everything they say as “gospel”
A perfect example is Drake Maye. Nearly all of then predicted the Vikings to draft Maye. Look how that turned out…
McCarthy is only… https://t.co/P9WtgEb6nK pic.twitter.com/sxGFdoWRLw
— The Purple Persuasion (@TPPSkol) May 15, 2024
On the outside looking in, both quarterbacks have pros and cons. However, the experience of Darnold could be important for the Minnesota Vikings to have a quick start to the season.
Both quarterbacks would have the luxury of playing with an extremely talented supporting cast. The Vikings have done an excellent job of adding elite offensive talent.
Just looking at the supporting cast is impressive. They have arguably the best wide receiver in the NFL in Justin Jefferson, a rising talent at wide receiver in Jordan Addison, a star running back in Aaron Jones, and an offensive line that has talent, but must perform better than they did in 2023. Things are looking bright on the offensive side of the ball in Minnesota.
It seems much more likely that Darnold would get the starting nod in Week 1, with McCarthy then taking over him at some point later in the year. Darnold could end up starting and playing great football to remain the starter for the whole year. There is no reason to rush McCarthy onto the field.
All of that being said, it will be very interesting to see what decision O’Connell and the Minnesota Vikings’ coaching staff make. Either way, they were able to rebound nicely from losing Kirk Cousins in free agency.
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