Sam Darnold is set to start as the quarterback for the Minnesota Vikings in their first preseason game against the Las Vegas Raiders on Saturday. This decision was announced by head coach Kevin O’Connell, who indicated that Darnold would take the initial snaps before giving way to rookie quarterback J.J. McCarthy.
The move signals the Vikings’ intention to evaluate both quarterbacks in game situations as they prepare for the regular season.
Darnold, who spent last season as a backup to Brock Purdy with the San Francisco 49ers, has joined the Vikings on a one-year deal following Kirk Cousins’ departure to the Atlanta Falcons.
Although Darnold was not a starter last year, he brings substantial starting experience from previous seasons, particularly with the Carolina Panthers. In 2022, he started six games, accumulating 1,143 passing yards, seven touchdowns, and three interceptions.
The Vikings selected McCarthy with the 10th overall pick in the 2024 NFL Draft after his standout college career at Michigan.
McCarthy’s impressive statistics from the previous year include 2,991 passing yards, 22 touchdowns, and just four interceptions, which helped lead Michigan to a national championship. Despite this impressive resume, McCarthy is expected to compete for the starting role, rather than being handed the position outright.
Throughout the summer, Coach O’Connell has emphasized that McCarthy must prove himself to secure the QB1 spot. In June, he confirmed Darnold as the starter for training camp and reinforced this choice in July by stating that Darnold would receive most of the first-team reps.
This approach indicates that while McCarthy is highly regarded, the starting job is not guaranteed and will be earned through performance.
As the preseason progresses, McCarthy has the opportunity to showcase his abilities and potentially challenge Darnold for the starting role. However, for now, the job is Darnold’s to lose. The situation will become clearer as both quarterbacks get more opportunities to demonstrate their skills on the field.
