Vikings make notable decision on team's starting quarterback

The Minnesota Vikings have no shortage of quarterbacks as they begin the post-Kirk Cousins era, but one particular QB appears to be separating himself from the pack.

Vikings head coach Kevin O’Connell revealed to reporters on Friday that Sam Darnold will open training camp next month as the team’s starter. O’Connell did note though that he anticipates a “competitive” camp at multiple different positions.

“We haven’t had to put out a depth chart or anything like that,” O’Connell said of the QB position, per Kevin Siefert of ESPN. “But yeah, I would say Sam would be the guy I would look to based upon the spring he’s had, and really where he’s at in his career and his quarterback journey. What he’s been able to do coming in and [hitting] the ground running and taking advantage of a competitive situation.”

Darnold, the former No. 3 overall pick, spent last season backing up Brock Purdy in San Francisco. Still only 27 years old, he signed a one-year, $10M contract with the Vikings in March.

Minnesota notably selected former Michigan champion quarterback JJ McCarthy with the No. 10 overall pick in this year’s draft. They also have veterans Nick Mullens and Jaren Hall lurking on the depth chart. 

Though there were some rumblings that McCarthy was having a very strong showing at OTAs, the six-year veteran Darnold will be the Vikings’ guy under center to open up training camp.