QB1 is Still Sam Darnold’s Job to Lose

When the Minnesota Vikings brought in Sam Darnold as a veteran free agent, it was under the premise they would draft a quarterback. That happened, and J.J. McCarthy brings plenty of promise, but the starting role has yet to be lost.

Sam Darnold has yet to lose Minnesota Vikings QB1 role

Kevin O’Connell will be tasked with sorting out his quarterback situation this summer. Sam Darnold will cede some first team reps to J.J. McCarthy. The rookie will certainly shine in different moments. Regardless of what happens in limited sample sizes though, the quarterback spot is Darnold’s to lose. ESPN Vikings beat writer Kevin Seifert had some thoughts on the competition.

In the big picture, there is only one position battle that matters for the Vikings this summer: Will rookie J.J. McCarthy make a serious run at the starting quarterback job that otherwise seems destined to be filled by veteran Sam Darnold? Here’s the best we can say at this point: The competition hasn’t started yet. Darnold took all of the first-team reps during the first week of camp, while McCarthy got his snaps with the second team.

Coach Kevin O’Connell said the team will eventually get to a “sweet spot” in its schematic install, one that will give McCarthy first-team opportunities. But Darnold opened training camp as the clear No. 1 quarterback, and nothing happened in the early portion of camp to suggest that a change was in the cards. “I think both guys have done a lot of really, really good things, [with] some more notable visually than others,” O’Connell said. “But I also think both guys have made some mistakes with the football.”

Kevin Seifert on the Vikings quarterback competition

Unless Darnold decides to not care about practice, he will remain in the lead for now. The former first round pick has never previously been in a situation this good. There is reason to believe Darnold could work, and finding out if there’s weight to it makes sense. McCarthy must take away reps from Darnold to force the issue, and that isn’t happening yet.

Related: Sam Darnold Quiets JJ McCarthy QB1 Chatter

Minnesota Vikings can decide quarterback in preseason

J.J. McCarthy should expect to get a significant amount of work during the preseason. The expectation is that McCarthy will generate plenty of preseason snaps. Sam Darnold is going to be under center during the preseason as well, but O’Connell will likely treat him as the starter there.

Sam Darnold and Justin Jefferson chemistry is starting to heat up 🔥 pic.twitter.com/G6PVwHENRI

— The Purple Persuasion (@TPPSkol) August 3, 2024

It stands to reason that the Minnesota Vikings will eventually play J.J. McCarthy. No definitive timeline for that transition exists, and it shouldn’t be rushed. It won’t take long to decide when the timing is right. It still will require actual game action to put some weight into the decision. Once McCarthy begins to show it at game speed, then Darnold can worry about being put on notice.

Related: What are the Chances JJ McCarthy Starts Week One for Vikings? Local Insider Says…