The Minnesota Vikings have finally ended one of the longest-running stories in their offseason: Sam Darnold’s departure from the franchise. In the aftermath, the team is now expected to place its trust in young quarterback JJ McCarthy as their starter. Following the move, a former Super Bowl champion weighed in, suggesting the Vikings should instead pursue veteran QB Aaron Rodgers. He even went as far as making a bold statement about McCarthy’s current performance.
Chase Daniel did not hold back when discussing the Minnesota Vikings’ quarterback situation. During an interview with The Athletic: “If you are the Vikings, pick the best quarterback out there and this is Aaron Rodgers. I understand what people are saying ‘Hey JJ McCarthy is future’, but he is an unproven rookie quarterback that played in Michigan and has very little snaps.”
Chase Daniel even praised Kevin O’Connell’s work as head coach: “If Kevin O’Connell can get Sam Darnold to 14 wins, what do you think he can do with Aaron Rodgers?…like much more talented quarterback. And who gets the best chance to win the Super Bowl Aaron Rodgers or JJ McCarthy? It’s easy, It’s Aaron Rodgers,” explained Daniel. JJ McCarthy’s inexperience coupled with his questionable injury status make the Vikings’ gamble on him a risky one.
In addition, having in the possibility the addition of Aaron Rodgers, it sounds like a bad joke not to sign him. Especially because it would allow the franchise to win in the short term and also bet the future towards JJ McCarthy. Also, Chase Daniel made an impressive statement about the current level of JJ McCarthy: “I’ve talked to people on the roster, ‘Hey, was this a competition? Would J.J. McCarthy actually have beaten out Sam Darnold?’ Absolutely not. The answer is a resounding no.”
Can the Vikings improve without adding a new quarterback for next season?
The Minnesota Vikings face a major challenge heading into next NFL season. They have yet to add a proven quarterback. Their current options, J.J. McCarthy and Brett Rypien, lack the experience needed for a deep playoff run. Last season, the Vikings relied on Sam Darnold and Daniel Jones. Their leadership proved crucial when McCarthy went down with an injury. Now, with both veterans gone, the Vikings must address their quarterback depth.
If the Vikings rely only on JJ McCarthy and Brett Rypien, they could struggle even more than last season. McCarthy has a promising future, but he has not played enough to prove his talent. This makes trusting him a risky move. An injury to either quarterback would leave the team vulnerable.
To stay competitive, the Vikings must sign a seasoned quarterback. They need someone who can provide stability and leadership. Without that, improving next season will be difficult. Their playoff hopes could quickly disappear.