Vikings have sent strong message with recent offseason decisions

The Minnesota Vikings have said they are confident that J.J. McCarthy can become a franchise quarterback, and their actions this offseason have spoken even louder than their words.

A year ago, the Vikings traded up a spot in the NFL Draft to select McCarthy with the 10th overall pick. At the time, the belief was that McCarthy would have a chance to compete for a starting job with Sam Darnold, who had signed with Minnesota as a free agent a month prior. McCarthy then suffered a torn meniscus during the preseason, so he missed his entire rookie campaign.

With McCarthy spending his first NFL season rehabbing rather than preparing to play, many speculated that the Vikings would re-sign Darnold and slowly bring McCarthy along. Minnesota could have placed the franchise tag on Darnold and stuck with the same formula that led them to a 14-3 record in 2024.

They chose not to do that.

Another option would have been to re-sign Daniel Jones, who joined the team as a backup late last season. That would not have been as cost-prohibitive as using the franchise tag on Darnold.

The Vikings did not go that route, either.

Even after Darnold signed with the Seattle Seahawks and Jones joined the Indianapolis Colts, the Vikings could have signed Aaron Rodgers. All indications have been that Minnesota is Rodgers' top choice. The 41-year-old would likely succeed in Kevin O'Connell's offense, surrounded by talented players like Justin Jefferson, T.J. Hockenson and Aaron Jones. Signing Rodgers would have also allowed the Vikings to develop McCarthy while having the former Michigan star learn behind a future Hall of Famer.

But Minnesota has passed on Rodgers, too.

The Vikings could revisit Rodgers if he remains available later in the offseason. Still, it says a lot that they passed up the opportunity to sign three veteran quarterbacks in favor of a de facto rookie.

O'Connell and the Vikings are incredibly high on McCarthy. Their recent offseason moves have more than proven that.