With the Vikings exceeding all expectations and sitting at 11-2 on the season, the biggest talking point isn’t whether Minnesota is a Super Bowl contender—no, it’s about the quarterbacks.
Will the Vikings bring back Sam Darnold? If Minnesota does sign Darnold, will it trade away J.J. McCarthy? Or will the Vikings opt to make McCarthy their franchise guy, as they planned on doing originally?
Everyone has their own opinion, but columnist Bill Simmons supports Darnold’s staying in Minnesota long-term.
“Darnold … really has energy with [Justin] Jefferson and [Jordan] Addison,” Simmons said on “The Bill Simmons Podcast” on December 8. “He has almost 3,300 yards – Darnold – 28 touchdowns, and 10 picks, and if they are in round one [of the playoffs], he’ll probably be like a four-plus-point favorite. He’s on a one-year deal. They have J.J. McCarthy, I’d be really hesitant not to bring him [Darnold] back. Today was the first day where I was like, ‘Wow, they might have actually found their QB, and maybe they should think about trading J.J. McCarthy.’”
The Vikings opted to let Kirk Cousins leave, but as Simmons says, this isn’t the same situation. Cousins is winding down in terms of his playing days, whereas Darnold is still young and in his prime. Will that change Minnesota’s mind?
“If I’m the Vikings, I don’t know. I’d have to really think about this one. He’s only 27. It’s not like he’s Kirk Cousins. He’s not 37 [years old], heading into his late 30s. He’s entering the prime of his career, and he’s playing great,” Simmons said. “And he has real chemistry with the receivers. When you have two weapons like that, you want a guy who’s not afraid to wing it downfield, and … if he makes a mistake, he’s going to come back. I think that’s been the thing that’s been the most impressive with him.”
