The Minnesota Vikings have been presented with a chance to learn a lesson.
For the sake of their future, hopefully they've learned it well.
The quarterback position, obviously, is massively important. And while the Vikings have hitched their horses to J.J. McCarthy, the No. 10 overall pick from the 2024 draft, he's barely been on the field.
Through Week 10 of the 2025 season, McCarthy has made four starts.
"I'd still be surprised if the Vikings really knew, even privately, whether McCarthy was going to pan out as their starter of the future... Because again, it has been four starts," writes ESPN's Bill Barnwell.
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Barnwell goes on to explain how this should impact Minnesota's offseason plans.
The free agent market (or potentially a cheap trade) could be pivotal to giving McCarthy a capable backup.
"What does seem clear, though, is that the Vikings should be more aggressive in having someone behind McCarthy to both compete with him for the starting job in 2026 and fill in for the 2024 first-round pick in case he battles more injuries," Barnwell writes. "Darnold was the Minnesota quarterback in 2024 and performed admirably in McCarthy's absence, but Carson Wentz wasn't quite as effective while dealing with his shoulder injury this season. The Vikings acquired Sam Howell and then moved on from him without ever seeing him play in a regular-season game; I'd expect a more reliable veteran to be the No. 2 option in 2026."
It is interesting that Barnwell suggests competition for McCarthy in addition to just a backup.
That's a bit like what the Colts did this season with Daniel Jones and Anthony Richardson, and now Jones has led Indianapolis to the top of the AFC.
It's unlikely the Vikings strike gold quite like that, but it's a viable consideration, for sure.
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