DONE DEAL: Vikings unveil Sam Darnold, JJ McCarthy plan for preseason opener vs Raiders ….
Regarding the quarterback position, the Minnesota Vikings have been the subject of conjecture. and an ownership group that hasn’t decided on the long-term head coach. And now, for the preseason game against the Raiders, the Vikings have revealed their Sam Darnold-JJ McCarthy scheme. The Vikings head coach, Kevin O’Connell, reportedly told reporters that Darnold will start at quarterback in the preseason opener on Saturday before the club switches to McCarthy, according to ESPN’s Adam Schefter. Regarding the quarterback position, the Minnesota Vikings have been the subject of conjecture. and a long-term ownership position that hasn’t been decided upon for the head coach. And for the preseason game against the Vikings, they have now revealed their Sam Darnold-JJ McCarthy strategy.
Darnold, a veteran of seven years, is currently with his fourth team. He’s had numerous opportunities to establish his value as a starting NFL player, but he has never delivered. Along with his well-known statement about “seeing ghosts,” he had a 13–25 starting record in his three years with the Jets. Sick. Still, the Panthers were impressed and gave him the starting job for a portion of two seasons. He gave them a record of 8-9 as compensation. And he had another loss in his lone start with the 49ers the previous season, bringing his career record to 21-35. It can now be argued, in his favor, that winning in those seasons in New York and Carolina would have been difficult for any quarterback. Maybe that’sPerhaps that’s why the Vikings gave him a one-year, $10 million contract. Yes, $10 million.
Where does Darnold’s salary rank?
Naturally, this isn’t Jordan Love or Joe Burrow money, but Darnold is ranked No. 22 among NFL quarterbacks in terms of yearly pay. Pro Football Focus even declared the signing to be the Vikings’ finest offseason acquisition. “The Vikings made some major splashes by re-signing Justin Jefferson and drafting J.J. McCarthy and Dallas Turner, but the addition of Sam Darnold is the one that might have a big reward,” PFF’s Trevor Sikkema said. Although Darnold won’t be the starting quarterback for the Vikings, his 2024 contract provides them the leeway to wait to activate McCarthy while the team is still in the hunt for a winning record. Darnold was worth the $10 because of the flexibility and patience he gives Minnesota with McCarthy.