or Daniel Jones in March, but according to former NFLer turned analyst Ross Tucker, Minnesota wanted one of those men back in 2025, foremost, and only pivoted to McCarthy when it struck out.
It’s a bold take with training camp about eight weeks away.
Ross Tucker Claims the Vikings Weren’t Totally Sold on J.J. McCarthy as the 2025 QB1
The former NFL offensive lineman joined Phil Mackey and Judd Zulgad on SKOR North this week, informing the panel that McCarthy might’ve been Minnesota’s fallback option this season.
Tucker claimed, “It’s not just his rookie year. He missed so much practice time. It would be unusual if he didn’t have some serious growing pains. And I’ll say this, too, guys: No matter what the Vikings say about J.J. McCarthy, how much they love him, and you know, ‘he’s the guy,’ they wanted Sam Darnold back.”
“And then, when they weren’t going to get Darnold back, they wanted Daniel Jones back. Right? They were offering these guys pretty darn good money. So, as much as they’re sold on J.J. McCarthy, they weren’t that sold, right?”
Most Vikings fans have proceeded over the last couple of months under the assumption that McCarthy was the club’s primary plan in 2025. The Tucker theory dials that back.
Tucker added, “They offered these guys over $10 million bucks a year to come and be their quarterback for this year or at least give them that option. So, they have some doubt there about McCarthy and how ready he’ll be, especially early. I peg the Vikings and the Bears probably between seven and nine wins.”
Ten Million Bucks … Is Backup QB Money?
The central argument from Tucker’s declaration is that the Vikings wanted Darnold or Jones back in 2025 for more than $10 million. Well, $12 million, for example, is not evidence to shatter McCarthy as Minnesota’s primary plan.
 throws the ball during NFC Practice for the Pro Bowl Games at Camping World Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Kirby Lee-Imagn Images.</p>
<p>” data-medium-file=”https://vikingsterritory.com/cdn-cgi/image/width=788,height=444,fit=crop,quality=80,format=auto,onerror=redirect,metadata=none/wp-content/uploads/2025/06/USATSI_25318273_168394844_lowres.jpg” data-large-file=”https://vikingsterritory.com/cdn-cgi/image/width=1180,height=787,fit=crop,quality=80,format=auto,onerror=redirect,metadata=none/wp-content/uploads/2025/06/USATSI_25318273_168394844_lowres.jpg” src=”https://vikingsterritory.com/cdn-cgi/image/width=788,height=444,fit=crop,quality=80,format=auto,onerror=redirect,metadata=none/wp-content/uploads/2025/06/USATSI_25318273_168394844_lowres.jpg” alt><figcaption>Feb 1, 2025; Orlando, FL, USA; Minnesota Vikings quarterback Sam Darnold (14) throws the ball during NFC Practice for the Pro Bowl Games at Camping World Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Kirby Lee-Imagn Images.<span></span></figcaption></figure>
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<p>Even $15 million would’ve been fair market value for Darnold or Jones as the QB2 — insurance — behind McCarthy.</p>
<p>The only evidence anyone needs regarding the Vikings’ commitment to McCarthy is their actions. They walked the walk by not signing Darnold or Jones. If they wanted one of those players back, they would’ve signed one, and McCarthy would’ve encountered a quarterback competition this summer.</p>
<p>That has not happened. Words on a podcast don’t much matter, especially from a hindsight, revisionist standpoint. </p>
<h3>If Vikings Weren’t Sold … They Would’ve Signed Aaron Rodgers</h3>
<p>Assume Tucker is on to something, and Minnesota very much preferred Darnold or Jones to McCarthy this year — fair. </p>
<p>Why didn’t they sign <a href=)
Aaron Rodgers in March, April, or May? The guy is a sure-fire Hall of Famer, who campaigned to join the Vikings in 2025 for a one-year Super Bowl push.
He told the media, “I honestly feel, physically, bigger, faster, and stronger. It feels amazing. When you get it taken away from you, you take every chance you get to be back out here and really appreciate it, really make the most out of it. It’s just not being afraid to fail out here and try new things, and afterwards, chalk it up and go from there.”
“You learn from it, you emotionally detach from that outcome, and you just keep moving. I was just very happy with the way I prepared and went about that recovery process above the neck. Everyone wants to be perfect, especially at the quarterback position, but the more you try to be perfect, it’s going to kill you more than your imperfections will.”
 speaks during Vrbo Fiesta Bowl media day at Camelback Inn in Scottsdale on Dec. 29, 2022.. NCAA Football Vrbo Fiesta Bowl Media Day. © Cheryl Evans/The Republic / USA TODAY NETWORK.</p>
<p>” data-medium-file=”https://vikingsterritory.com/cdn-cgi/image/width=788,height=444,fit=crop,quality=80,format=auto,onerror=redirect,metadata=none/wp-content/uploads/2025/06/USATSI_19694546.jpg” data-large-file=”https://vikingsterritory.com/cdn-cgi/image/width=1180,height=803,fit=crop,quality=80,format=auto,onerror=redirect,metadata=none/wp-content/uploads/2025/06/USATSI_19694546.jpg” src=”https://vikingsterritory.com/cdn-cgi/image/width=788,height=444,fit=crop,quality=80,format=auto,onerror=redirect,metadata=none/wp-content/uploads/2025/06/USATSI_19694546.jpg” alt><figcaption>Michigan Wolverines quarterback J.J. McCarthy (9) speaks during Vrbo Fiesta Bowl media day at Camelback Inn in Scottsdale on Dec. 29, 2022.. NCAA Football Vrbo Fiesta Bowl Media Day. © Cheryl Evans/The Republic / USA TODAY NETWORK.<span></span></figcaption></figure>
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<p>McCarthy will immediately experience trial by fire in the regular season, taking on the Chicago Bears at Soldier Field in Week 1 on <em>Monday Night Football</em>. </p>
<p>McCarthy added, “And I feel like just being able to accept, in these learning and teaching phases, that it’s OK to fail and try things and go out there and take risks as long as you do that, whatever’s down the road is going to come when it comes. It’s just how many situations can he put me in where I’m able to almost be on my own a little bit, and then we come back together and we regroup and we talk through it.”</p>
<p>“And that’s why this learning and teaching phase is so huge, because there’s so many opportunities to do that in a controlled setting where we could be uncomfortable and there’s no consequences and all that.”</p>
<p>Vikings mandatory minicamp is about one week away. </p>
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