The Minnesota Vikings appear ready to hand the reins to quarterback J.J. McCarthy after a rookie season cut short by injuries, but one analyst believes the team can bring in a veteran as something of an insurance policy.
The Vikings moved on from Sam Darnold after the veteran quarterback’s career-best season, leading the Vikings to 14 wins but a disappointing exit in the wild-card round of the NFL playoffs.
The team appears ready to move McCarthy back to the top of the depth chart after a knee injury wiped out his rookie year, though McCarthy said in March that the team has not told him that he will be the starter.
“And I’m happy they didn’t, because I try to earn it every single day. And I never want that to be given to me. it’s such a privilege and opportunity to give me that chance, and I’m just going to make the most of it every single day,” McCarthy said in an interview with Kay Adams.
While the Vikings remain an option for Aaron Rodgers as he takes his time making a free agency decision, Bleacher Report’s Kristopher Knox believes that another veteran will be the best fit — Joe Flacco.
Minnesota Vikings quarterback J.J. McCarthy (9) under center against the Las Vegas Raiders in the third quarter at U.S. Bank Stadium. Brad Rempel-Imagn Images Brad Rempel-Imagn Images
“While there’s been plenty of buzz about the Vikings and Aaron Rodgers-head coach Kevin O’Connell recently told reporters that the quarterback reached out to Minnesota-Joe Flacco would be a more sensible option,” Knox wrote.
Knox added that Flacco, the former $120 million quarterback, has been willing to play the role of mentor in recent seasons, something that could be a great benefit to McCarthy.
“Flacco showed with the Colts last season that he can support a young quarterback and still be ready to start in a pinch,” Knox wrote. “He could do the same in Minnesota without drawing the attention that Rodgers inevitably would.”