Tim Meyer is a Duluth architect and community builder writing about Downtown Duluth, politics, business, sports and economic development. Reach him at tim.meyer@meyergroupduluth.com
The Minnesota Vikings’ decision not to re-sign Sam Darnold or Daniel Jones proved costly in the 2025 season.
Minnesota entered the year without an experienced veteran behind center. Sam Howell struggled during the preseason and was released before the regular season began, leaving the Vikings to move forward with the injury-prone J.J. McCarthy as their primary option.
In hindsight, the plan unraveled quickly.
After McCarthy was injured, the Vikings signed veteran quarterback Carson Wentz, the former North Dakota State standout. Wentz performed reasonably well, stabilizing the offense for several games. But a series of injuries along the offensive line led to poor pass protection, and Wentz eventually suffered a serious shoulder injury that ended his season early.
Could the situation have been avoided? Many around the league believe so.
Franchise quarterbacks are difficult to find, and in retrospect, using the franchise tag on Darnold may have been the most sensible option. Choosing not to invest in the position proved costly, and the Vikings paid the price with a missed playoff opportunity.
Darnold has since gone on to win a Super Bowl and is now widely considered among the NFL’s top quarterbacks.
Minnesota sports history includes several examples of players leaving the state and thriving elsewhere, and this situation appears to fit that pattern.
General manager Kwesi Adofo-Mensah ultimately paid the price for the decision. However, the choice to move on from both Darnold and Jones was almost certainly an organizational one involving ownership and head coach Kevin O’Connell as well.
O’Connell remains in place but will likely face significant pressure moving forward. Anything short of a playoff appearance in the 2026 season could put his job in jeopardy and potentially open the door for defensive coordinator Brian Flores to receive another opportunity as a head coach.
The larger question now is whether the Vikings can recover — and whether McCarthy is ready to be an NFL-level quarterback and team leader.
Early returns have raised concerns among some fans and observers. McCarthy has battled injuries and inconsistency, and his leadership and decision-making remain under scrutiny. His “No. 9” alter-ego persona has also drawn attention, with some critics questioning whether it reflects a player still searching for confidence at the professional level.
To be fair, McCarthy has also shown flashes of the athleticism, competitiveness and leadership that helped him win a national championship at Michigan.
Whether those traits can translate to sustained success in the NFL remains an open question. Professional football is a results-driven business where patience is limited, particularly at quarterback.
One puzzling development has been McCarthy’s lack of consistent chemistry with All-Pro wide receiver Justin Jefferson. Establishing that connection will be essential if McCarthy is to develop into the long-term answer at the position. Spending the offseason building that relationship would seem a logical first step.
Across the border in Green Bay, the Packers offer a starkly different model.
Since 2000, Green Bay has started just three quarterbacks: Brett Favre, Aaron Rodgers and Jordan Love. Each was drafted and given time to develop before taking over the offense, a patient approach that has produced sustained success for the organization.
It is a model the Vikings — and many other NFL teams — have struggled to replicate.
The Vikings, however, are not short on talent. Jefferson remains one of the league’s most dynamic receivers, and tight end T.J. Hockenson provides another elite target. The roster has playmakers. What it lacks is clarity at quarterback.
One option could be bringing Wentz back. Despite the punishment he absorbed behind an injured offensive line, he competed through pain and showed enough ability to manage the offense effectively when healthy.
Other potential quarterback options have also been discussed.
Malik Willis offers a dual-threat skill set with strong running ability and a powerful arm. Anthony Richardson remains one of the league’s most physically gifted quarterbacks, and O’Connell reportedly held significant interest in him during the draft process.
Zach Wilson, once considered a major disappointment with the New York Jets, showed improvement while working alongside Aaron Rodgers and might benefit from a fresh start in the right offensive system.
Additional names occasionally surface in speculation. Kyler Murray remains a dynamic athlete but has battled injuries throughout his career. Mac Jones could be intriguing but would likely require significant draft compensation. Tua Tagovailoa possesses talent but has faced criticism regarding leadership following Miami’s late-season struggles.
One name that likely will not return to the conversation: Kirk Cousins. The Vikings have already traveled that road.
Offensive help could also come in other forms.
Wide receiver Tyreek Hill — known as “Cheetah” — has occasionally been mentioned in trade speculation and has spoken in the past about his admiration for the Vikings. Pairing Hill with Jefferson and Hockenson could create one of the most explosive passing attacks in the league.
Cooper Kupp might be available at a relatively modest price and would bring familiarity with a system similar to the one O’Connell runs.
The running game also may need reinforcement. Aaron Jones is no longer in the picture, and the Vikings could look to the draft for a high-end running back prospect. Programs such as Oregon, Alabama, Miami, Ohio State and others in the Southeastern Conference continue to produce the speed and skill position talent that dominate today’s NFL.
Ultimately, the solution may require multiple steps.
The Vikings could add another veteran quarterback, draft another young passer and force McCarthy to earn his way back into the starting job. Competition is the reality of the NFL, where roster spots — and careers — are constantly on the line.
Winning remains the only standard that matters.
For the Vikings, the next decision at quarterback will determine whether the mistake of 2025 becomes a brief detour — or the beginning of a much longer setback.
