Sam Darnold’s Struggles May Have Impacted J.J. McCarthy’s Future

Minneapolis: Don’t rush to see J.J. McCarthy in a new jersey just yet. Sam Darnold had a rough couple of games, and it might have made the Vikings rethink their quarterback situation.

Darnold’s performance in the wild-card loss to the Rams was disappointing, and it’s clear he struggled when it mattered most. Despite leading the Vikings to a solid record, he faltered in crucial moments.

McCarthy, who was picked 10th overall last year, is now waiting in the wings. There were talks about trading him, but Darnold’s recent duds against the Lions and Rams have raised doubts.

In those games, Darnold looked like his old self, making poor decisions and taking unnecessary sacks. He completed just over half of his passes and had a tough time finding the end zone.

Darnold admitted he didn’t play well and left some plays on the field. The Vikings might still consider using the franchise tag on him, but giving him a big contract after these performances could be risky.

This season was a highlight for Darnold, but it’s hard to ignore his past struggles with the Jets and Panthers. He’s not too worried about how these games will affect his future, though.

Vikings coach Kevin O’Connell praised Darnold’s overall season, but he acknowledged that the playoffs are what really count. McCarthy, on the other hand, has had his own challenges, including knee surgeries that kept him off the field.

The Vikings believe in McCarthy’s potential, but they also need to think about winning now. Darnold’s recent play raises questions about whether he can lead a team to success.

If the Vikings let Darnold go, other teams might be interested, but they’ll be hoping McCarthy can step up when it counts. Darnold knows that in the end, it’s all about what you do in the playoffs, and he didn’t get it done this time.