What does J.J. McCarthy’s knee injury mean for the Vikings?

Editor’s be aware: This ran Tuesday and has been up to date with the information that Minnesota Vikings quarterback J.J. McCarthy is completed for the season after present process surgical procedure on his torn proper meniscus.

Minnesota Vikings quarterback J.J. McCarthy has an harm that can value him his rookie season, a deflating flip of occasions for everybody who had been enthused by his preseason debut Saturday within the crew’s 24-23 victory over the Las Vegas Raiders.

McCarthy underwent surgical procedure Wednesday.

The information solidifies Sam Darnold’s function because the starter, moderately than a bridge QB till McCarthy is prepared.

ESPN Vikings reporter Kevin Seifert, draft analyst Jordan Reid and nationwide reporter Jeremy Fowler check out the affect of McCarthy’s harm.

What does the harm imply for McCarthy’s improvement as a passer?

Lacking prolonged time can be a big blow to his on-field improvement. One of many largest questions on McCarthy as a prospect coming into the draft needed to do together with his inexperience as a passer. He wasn’t requested to shoulder the load at Michigan fairly often, as he had solely 25 or extra passing makes an attempt in 12 of his 28 profession begins for the Wolverines, so he wants all of the reside throws and snaps he can get.

McCarthy — who was drafted No. 10 general resulting from his accuracy and upside — will have the ability to achieve psychological reps by sitting and watching behind Darnold, however the on-field reps can be not possible to duplicate as he makes an attempt to be taught and execute O’Connell’s scheme. — Reid

Will the Vikings add one other QB to their room?

There is not a urgent want so as to add a quarterback in Minnesota. Darnold (63 profession TD passes, 56 interceptions with a 21-35 profession document) is entrenched because the starter, and the crew is assured in Nick Mullens’ potential to supply in spot responsibility. The 29-year-old Mullens has 20 profession begins over a six-year profession with the 49ers, Browns and Vikings. And Minnesota hasn’t completely given up on Jaren Corridor, final 12 months’s fifth-round decide who began twice in 2023.

Apart from Ryan Tannehill, the choices are scarce on the free agent market. It would not shock to see the Vikings no less than consider the skin choices, however they’ve sufficient expertise to maintain with out McCarthy. — Fowler

What does this imply for WR Justin Jefferson and the remainder of the offense?

Little or no. Darnold has been on monitor all summer season to be the Vikings’ No. 1 quarterback, no less than to open the season, as McCarthy was being introduced alongside on a methodical timetable.

Darnold and Jefferson have begun establishing a transparent rapport in coaching camp practices, with Jefferson noting Darnold’s potential to “put contact on the ball right here and there” and understanding “what velocity he must throw the ball and the way he must throw the ball.”

O’Connell has been saying all summer season that he desires to emphasise the operating sport irrespective of who’s his beginning quarterback. Even with out McCarthy, Aaron Jones stays on monitor to pair up with Ty Chandler for 20-plus touches per sport between the 2 of them. — Seifert

What does this imply for the Vikings’ 2024 competitiveness?

The harm strikes Darnold from a place-holder for McCarthy to a longer-term starter. Nearly as good as Darnold has seemed throughout spring and summer season practices — and for all of the chemistry he has developed with Jefferson and nonetheless being solely 27 years outdated — there stays a good diploma of uncertainty about how that can all translate in regular-season video games.

Darnold has a 21-35 document as an NFL starter in admittedly unideal conditions with the New York Jets and Carolina Panthers, and he spent the 2023 season as a backup with the San Francisco 49ers. If Darnold has a tricky go early within the season, or if he will get injured, the Vikings will not have McCarthy to alleviate him. As an alternative, the remaining quarterbacks on their roster are Mullens and Corridor, who have been 1-4 as starters for Minnesota in 2023. — Seifert

What does this imply for the 2025 offseason?

The Vikings are headed for a collection of actually necessary selections this offseason. McCarthy’s harm, on the very least, will make these selections tougher and will additional push out the timing of their quarterback transition.

The primary determination is apparent. Darnold is on a one-year contract. Will the Vikings be able to anoint him their 2025 starter? Or would they want Darnold — or one other veteran — to function a foil?

Secondly, each O’Connell and common supervisor Kwesi Adofo-Mensah are within the third 12 months of four-year contracts. They have been employed in 2022 partially to handle the transition from Kirk Cousins to the subsequent beginning quarterback. If McCarthy is not in a position to set up himself in 2024, how will homeowners Zygi and Mark Wilf consider O’Connell and Adofo-Mensah? Will they provide market-level extensions or have them work in 2025 on the ultimate 12 months of their offers? — Seifert