It remains to be seen whether the JJ McCarthy era in Minnesota begins in Week 1 of the 2025 season.
But general manager Kwesi Adofo-Mensah said: “If that's the course of action we decide to take, we're going to go there with confidence.”
Adofo-Mensah used a number of players. Questions about the Vikings' offseason plans From members of the media on Thursday.
Sam Darnold is set to become an unrestricted free agent in 2025, while McCarthy missed the entire season due to a knee injury sustained in the preseason.
“He's on the field, throwing, working out,” Adofo-Mensah said of McCarthy. “He's great. He's excited… You're talking about a kid who's crazy about soccer and loves being around the game. So we're excited about what's in him. I'm excited. We're excited for his offseason. It's a big offseason. And we'll continue from there.
“[2024 was something of] Redshirt year…but mentally… [we were] Talk about how much you've learned this year compared to other years in your soccer career [and he says it was] That should be expected from a young player in this building. ”
Adofo-Mensah stopped short of declaring the Vikings were ready to push the 21-year-old into the starting role.
“We really believe in him, his work ethic and his preparation…but we can't sit here and say we know for sure,” Adofo-Mensah said. “I know we're willing to believe in the guy we have. That position is about talent and preparation, and he has those in abundance.”
McCarthy's injury paved the way for Darnold to earn the starting spot.
Joseph London/Republic/USA TODAY NETWORK (via Imagn Images)
With Darnold under center throughout the 2024 season, Minnesota won 14 games, the most by a Vikings team since 1998.
Darnold appeared to be doing so well at times that pundits began theorizing that the team would make an offer for the injured rookie.
That idea may have made sense before the NFC Wild Card Game, but it seems even more surreal now considering Darnold's disastrous play in the team's 27-9 loss to the Rams. It feels like something I did.
