In the first round of the NFL Draft this spring, the Minnesota Vikings selected J.J. McCarthy. However, it is Sam Darnold who will lead the team at the start of training camp next month, according to Vikings head coach Kevin O’Connell. Based on Darnold’s performance during OTAs, he has been named as the starting quarterback for the upcoming season. Along with McCarthy, Nick Mullens and Jaren Hall are also part of the roster.
O’Connell stated that there hasn’t been a depth chart released yet, but Darnold stands out due to his impressive spring performance, journey as a quarterback, and competitive nature. Last season, Darnold played for the New York Jets before signing a one-year deal with the Vikings after Kirk Cousins left for Atlanta Falcons. Meanwhile, McCarthy led Michigan to an undefeated season and national championship before being drafted by the Vikings as the No. 10 pick in April.
McCarthy expressed admiration for Darnold and Nick and mentioned that he hopes to surpass them one day while also valuing their guidance. Despite this competition, McCarthy is excited for training camp and eager to learn from O’Connell and his teammates. On the other hand, while McCarthy could potentially contend for the starting role in Minneapolis, it appears that Darnold has an early advantage in this position battle. The question remains whether either quarterback can guide the Vikings to success in O’Connell’s third season with the team.
