Vikings' QB situation: Darnold, McCarthy and beyond

The Minnesota Vikings' quarterback situation is a bit of a mystery heading into the offseason. Sam Darnold is set to become a free agent, and J.J. McCarthy is recovering from a torn meniscus in his right knee. McCarthy missed his rookie season, and the Vikings are unsure of his readiness for the 2025 season. The team has two other quarterbacks under contract for 2025, veteran Brett Rypien and rookie Kellen Mond. But neither is a proven starter. The Vikings could also look to add a veteran quarterback to compete with Darnold and McCarthy. One option is Daniel Jones, who spent six weeks learning the Vikings' offense after being signed to the practice squad in November. Jones is a free agent this offseason, and the Vikings could potentially sign him to a long-term contract. Another option is Jimmy Garoppolo, who is set to become a free agent after being traded from the San Francisco 49ers to the Las Vegas Raiders. Garoppolo has a history with Vikings head coach Kevin O'Connell, who was his offensive coordinator in San Francisco. The Vikings' quarterback decision will likely come down to their assessment of McCarthy's recovery and his potential for a quick ascension. If McCarthy is ready to start in 2025, the Vikings could re-sign Darnold to a short-term contract and use him as a bridge quarterback. If McCarthy needs more time to develop, the Vikings could look to add a veteran quarterback to compete with Darnold. Or they could trade Darnold and use the draft to select a quarterback of the future.