Sam Darnold Quiets JJ McCarthy QB1 Chatter

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Sam Darnold, JJ McCarthy, Minnesota Vikings training camp
Credit: Photo courtesy of the Minnesota Vikings

Entering Friday, chatter surrounding JJ McCarthy as the Minnesota Vikings week one starter at quarterback had reached fever pitch. Only one mainstream local NFL writer had publicly pushed his chips in on the rookie so far, but the Michigan product had been widely seen as the best QB at training camp… until today.

Sam Darnold has big friday performance at Minnesota Vikings training camp

From all accounts, Darnold pulled back in front of McCarthy this afternoon, dropping dimes all over the TCO Performance Center outdoor practice fields. Media members were quick to dub it Sam’s best practice as a Viking.

Remember, the Minnesota Vikings have two of the youngest No. 1 and 2 quarterbacks in the league. McCarthy is just 21-years-old, already impressing everyone at camp. Not just with his arm talent, but with his “aura” and the way he’s already winning teammates over.

Darnold, a former No. 3 overall pick, is just 27-years-old. Thus far, Darnold had struggled to deliver the ball on time and on target over the middle of the field. That’s a big no-no when the most expensive asset on the team, Justin Jefferson, makes a large part of his $35+ million per year catching footballs in that area of the gridiron.

Related: Justin Jefferson Ranks How Low on NFL Top 100?!

That’s why head coach Kevin O’Connell had to feel good about the Friday Sam Darnold had. Even if KOC wants to see JJ McCarthy win the QB1 job eventually, it benefits everyone involved (including the team) if it happens naturally. Not because Darnold fails, but because the rookie proves to be even better than good.

JJ McCarthy reps with the first team during tough day

But unfortunately, that’s not what we saw this afternoon. While Darnold took a step forward, JJ McCarthy reportedly took a big step back. Yes, he took the his first reps with the No. 1’s. Nonetheless, today’s practice did not go well those in attendance are calling it his worst practice performance yet.

Is this something we need to worry about? No, the fact that JJ McCarthy has played so well to start camp should have Minnesota Vikings fans ecstatic about No. 9’s future in purple. The fact that we are even talking about JJ as a possible week one starter puts him way farther ahead than most experts expected.

And even on ‘his worst day’ McCarthy was making highlight reel throws, like this one… which may or may not have been a sack. But, come on…

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