The Vikings’ 4 Realistic Options at QB in 2025

The Vikings’ 4 Realistic Options at QB in 2025 Jeffrey Becker-Imagn Images | Aug 10, 2024; Minneapolis, Minnesota, USA; Minnesota Vikings quarterback J.J. McCarthy (9) passes against the Las Vegas Raiders in the second quarter at U.S. Bank Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Brad Rempel-Imagn Images. The Minnesota Vikings head to Glendale, Arizona, on Monday night to begin the postseason in a showdown against the Los Angeles Rams. Vikings QB Options: The 4 Possibilities in 2025 The game was moved from Inglewood, California, to Arizona due to wildfires. And whenever the Vikings’ season ends — hopefully that’s in February — all eyes will turn to the team’s impending quarterback decision. Between current QB1 Sam Darnold and rookie J.J. McCarthy, folks will have an opinion. To get you ready for that soon-to-be debate, these are Minnesota’s four quarterback options in 2025, ranked in ascending order (No. 1 = most likely to occur). 4. Sam Darnold QB1 — J.J. McCarthy Traded Jeffrey Becker-USA TODAY Sports. The least likely option — but one that folks are chirping about, nevertheless — Minnesota would trade McCarthy and keep Darnold for the long haul, probably on a deal for three years and $140 million (or something similar). They would’ve seen enough from Darnold to change horses altogether, likely sending McCarthy to a team like the New York Giants or Las Vegas Raiders. This won’t happen, but it must be included for full disclosure. 3. J.J. McCarthy QB1 — Sam Darnold Traded via Franchise Tag Brad Rempel-USA TODAY Sports. In all likelihood, McCarthy is Minnesota’s future at QB1, but there’s a school of thought that suggests Darnold played way too damn well just let him leave in free agency for nothing. This option would allow Minnesota to franchise-tag-and-trade Darnold, probably working with him to determine his chosen destination. The Vikings could gain a draft pick(s), start McCarthy in 2025, and likely retain Daniel Jones as QB2. 2. Another Mystery QB1 Summer; Darnold Back on Team-Friendly Deal Jeffrey Becker-Imagn Images. Remember the summer of 2024? It could happen again. The Vikings find a way to thread the needle, hedging the bet against McCarthy’s meniscus injury recovery while keeping Darnold for less than the rumored $40-$50 million asking price. Of course, Minnesota could just pay $40 million for Darnold outright via the franchise tag, and that’d be that. Yet, if Minnesota spends $40 million on Darnold, its budget for other free agents would nosedive. This is included because there’s a chance that the Vikings play it ultra-safe … “too many” good quarterbacks. 1. J.J. McCarthy QB1 — Sam Darnold Leaves via Free Agency Michigan quarterback J. McCarthy looks to pass against Georgia during the second half of the Orange Bowl at Hard Rock Stadium in Miami Gardens, Florida, on Friday, Dec. 31, 2021. © Junfu Han / USA TODAY NETWORK. General manager Kwesi Adofo-Mensah drafted McCarthy for a reason — to become the Vikings’ quarterback of the future and stabilize the position, once and for all. The most likely option is for the franchise to commit to McCarthy, rally around him, and let Darnold achieve his big payday elsewhere. Developing McCarthy would allow Minnesota a four-year window for Super Bowl contention — if McCarthy’s the real deal — outfitting the young passer with gobs of free-agent talent through the end of 2028. Unless the purple team wins the Super Bowl or gets damn close, McCarthy as QB1 is the common sense route. Daniel Jones can serve as the “2023 Sam Darnold” option, maybe sticking around on an affordable deal as QB2. Dustin Baker is a political scientist who graduated from the University of Minnesota in 2007. Subscribe to his daily YouTube Channel, VikesNow. The show features guests, analysis, and opinion on all things related to the purple team, with 4-7 episodes per week. His MIN obsession dates back to 1996. Listed guilty pleasures: Peanut Butter Ice Cream, ‘The Sopranos,’ Basset Hounds, and The Doors (the band). He follows the NBA as closely as the NFL. All statistics provided by Pro Football Reference / Stathead; all contractual information provided by OverTheCap.com.