The Minnesota Vikings have decisions to make at the quarterback position. Sam Darnold was brought in as a bridge quarterback with veteran experience to be a locker room presence and the backup quarterback. Rookie franchise quarterback J.J. McCarthy was drafted in the 2024 draft with the 10th overall pick to be the replacement for previous starting quarterback Kirk Cousins. Unfortunately for Minnesota McCarthy suffered a season ending knee injury making for back up quarterback Sam Darnold to be the starter.
Sam Darnold played well in relief of J.J. McCarthy over 16 games until down the stretch with the last two games. Sam Darnold struggled and the Minnesota Vikings lost to the Detroit Lions 31-9. Followed up by an embarrassing loss on the road to the lower seeded Los Angeles Rams in the NFC Wild Card Round, 27-9.
Brock Purdy is entering the final year of his four-year rookie contract being the last pick of the 2022 NFL Draft in the seventh round as Mr. Irrelevant. The San Francisco 49ers must decide on Purdy in the final year of his contract. Do the San Francisco 49ers like what they have witnessed over the first three years with Brock Purdy at starting quarterback? Year two, Brock Purdy led the 49ers to the Super Bowl, coming up short against the Kansas City Chiefs. With Brock Purdy on his rookie deal, this is the perfect time for 49ers general manager John Lynch to trade Purdy to the Minnesota Vikings, a team that needs a bridge quarterback like Purdy, so there is no rush to bring back J.J. McCarthy.
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The San Francisco 49ers, a year after making the Super Bowl, are on the outside looking in as they are 6-9 and eliminated from playoff contention. Brock Purdy has had a good run, but it’s clear San Francisco has reached their ceiling with him under center. With that, they need a switch, and there could be an option on the Minnesota Vikings.
The Vikings are 14-2, on the verge of winning the NFC North and potentially the first seed as well. This is all with Sam Darnold at quarterback, who is playing at the best level he has in his entire career. Darnold has thrown for 4,153 yards and 35 touchdowns with just 12 interceptions while completing 68.1% of his passes. Darnold is on just a one-year deal though, which complicates things for the Vikings.
After drafting JJ McCarthy in the 2024 NFL Draft, it seemed as though he was going to be the future. After suffering a torn meniscus in his knee, McCarthy has missed his entire rookie season, allowing Darnold to step up and take over. With how Darnold has commanded the support of the locker room, and having the experience factor, it would be ideal for the Vikings to bring him back. For McCarthy, they can trade him and get immense return value with the 2025 NFL Draft class being weak at the quarterback position.
That is where the 49ers come into play. With Purdy going to be eligible for a contract extension, the 49ers have massive contracts with Deebo Samuel, Christian McCaffrey, Brandon Aiyuk, and Trent Williams either in place or on the horizon. To overpay for Purdy with the state the 49ers are in after missing the playoffs would only set the franchise back.
That is where McCarthy comes into play as he is on a rookie contract and would help San Francisco allocate money towards other players at positions of need. This would help reset the 49ers offense to ensure their window doesn’t close with Shanahan as the coach.
McCarthy finished college with 6231 yards and 48 touchdowns over 481 completions with just 11 interceptions during that time. McCarthy reads defenses well and is able to anticipate throws extremely well, navigate the pocket the extend plays, and throw on the run outside of the pocket as well. McCarthy has great leadership skills, and for a team like the 49ers, he’d be ideal. McCarthy would operate the Kyle Shanahan offense perfectly while also elevating it further with his skill set.