The Minnesota Vikings have a decision to make at quarterback this offseason, but it looks like Sam Darnold could command a contract in free agency that makes it easy to move on to first-round pick J.J.

The Minnesota Vikings quarterback Sam Darnold was expected to serve as a stopgap starter while the team developed rookie quarterback J.J. McCarthy.  Darnold, wh

That's the premise of an interesting recent article from ESPN's Ben Solak, who dove into the Darnold decision and how it'll impact QB movement this year. The whole thing is worth reading, but let's take a look at — and react to — some of the notable things Solak said.

The Minnesota Vikings can probably bring Sam Darnold back to the team, though only if he is willing to take a little less than market value.

J.J. McCarthy is a key to the Minnesota Vikings’ offseason plans, so the additional hurdle he is navigating is especially noteworthy.

There are plenty of really good reasons why the Vikings should do the opposite of what the insider thinks will happen.

Should the Vikings pay Darnold after his (mostly) excellent season? Or should they go with McCarthy and spend that money at other positions?

The Minnesota Vikings are keeping an eye on J.J. McCarthy’s rehab as he recovers from a torn meniscus that ended his rookie season before it ever began. How he continues to progress will determine how the Vikings answer the most pertinent question about the most important position.

Despite the difficult end to the 2024 season, Sam Darnold's overall performance is likely to result in him receiving a nice contract in free agency

That was before quarterback guru Kevin O'Connell arrived in Minnesota. He's made the Vikings a dream destination for any quarterback looking for a change of scenery, including Fields, who named Minnesota one of his four preferred destinations in a trade last year.

The Minnesota Vikings have entered yet another offseason with significant questions around their quarterback depth chart.

McCarthy has undergone two knee surgeries, repairing a torn meniscus that knocked him out for the season. The former national championship-winning passer, however, is back on the field doing QB drills, Adofo-Mensah said ( via ESPN.com’s Kevin Seifert ), with the GM indicating the 2024 No. 10 overall pick is on schedule.