ESPN Expert Predicts Vikings Starting QB in 2025

The Minnesota Vikings won 14 games in 2024, with rehabbed bridge quarterback Sam Darnold. At least, he was supposed to be a bridge quarterback when he originally signed a 1 year, $10 million contract as a free agent last offseason.

The Darnold bridge plan became even more clear when general manager Kwesi Adofo-Mensah landed head coach Kevin O’Connell a quarterback of the future at No. 10 overall in the 2024 NFL Draft, in J.J. McCarthy.

Unfortunately, the National Champion out of Michigan spent the entire 2024 regular season on injured reserve, after suffering a season-ending knee injury in the Vikings’ first preseason vs the Las Vegas Raiders. Now, all signs point to him being fully healthy for offseason workouts, leaving the Minnesota Vikings with something of “a good problem to have” at QB.

As the Vikings look towards 2025, arguments over who will be their starting quarterback and how they will get there this offseason, rage on. We won’t have our official answer until they make a decision on whether or not to franchise tag Sam Darnold or let him walk to free agency, which kicks off on March 12.

It’s the J.J. McCarthy show for Minnesota Vikings

But that won’t stop fans and media members alike from prognosticating on how the next two weeks will play out. ESPN NFL analyst Seth Walder made his educated guess on the situation Wednesday, predicting it’s “a decent bet” the Minnesota Vikings hand the reins over to JJ McCarthy.

“Darnold disintegrating at the end of the season surely hampered his chances of returning to Minnesota because the Vikings have a first-round QB waiting in the wings for 2025 and beyond. Plus, it’s important to note that the Vikings won 14 games because of their strong defense more than anything else. Darnold ranked 14th in QBR with a great playcaller in O’Connell and arguably the NFL’s best wide receiver in Jefferson. Is that worth sidelining McCarthy for another season? I’m skeptical.”

Walder on the Vikings starting quarterback for 2025 (ESPN)

I’m certainly not as worried about the final two games of Sam Darnold’s 2024 season as others claim to be. The MN Vikings played significantly better than expected all season long, and that’s mostly thanks to a revenge season from Darnold the likes of which we haven’t really seen before.

In total, the 7-year veteran posted a career high 4,319 yards and 35 touchdowns, on a 66.2% completion rate. Without a doubt, Darnold was everything Minnesota could have hoped for, and much more. The issue isn’t performance, it’s timing and dollars.

Every throw from JJ McCarthy in his debut vs the Raiders@Vikings #Vikings pic.twitter.com/VzQNgPfc0J

— awthentik (@awthentik) August 11, 2024

J.J. McCarthy went 11-of-17 in his lone preseason action. He threw for 188 yards with a pair of touchdowns. Of course there isn’t much to go off of in just that lone experience, but all he has done is win. He left Michigan as a National Champion with a conference-leading 72.3% completion rate and a 22/4 TD/INT ratio.

Related: Successful Sam Darnold Experiment Proved Vikings Don’t Need Him in 2025

The Minnesota Vikings drafted a quarterback so they could build their salary cap situation around a rookie contract. Darnold is proof that the infrastructure is where Minnesota’s strength is, and McCarthy should see that same success.

McCarthy insurance doesn’t have to be Sam Darnold

The argument to bring Darnold back revolves around the readiness of McCarthy coming off his knee injury. If the Vikings have concerns about his health, or weight, then a capable starter on the roster needs to be present.

That doesn’t have to be Darnold on a $40+ million franchise tag, or $100+ million contract extension. Those bills should be footed by a new employer. If the Minnesota Vikings want a veteran with a chance to replicate the success of Darnold until McCarthy is ready, it’s the guy they signed at the end of last season.

Related: Minnesota Vikings Finish Near Top of NFLPA Survey Yet Again

Daniel Jones should cost roughly the same, if not less, than Darnold did last season. He has 70 games of NFL experience under his belt and has played in the playoffs. He present a dual-threat capability and would work with a Vikings roster that is more talented than any Giants team he has played on.

Whether it’s Week 1 or later in the season, McCarthy should be the expected Minnesota Vikings starter. Someone else may get a few turns before him, but there’s no reason for it to be Darnold.