The Minnesota Vikings recently lost their starting quarterback from last season, Sam Darnold, who signed with the Seattle Seahawks in free agency. Many speculated that this would mean a shift toward young quarterback J.J. McCarthy, who missed what would have been his rookie season due to a knee injury. However, the team has been in discussions with veteran quarterback Aaron Rodgers about a potential signing, and Vikings head coach Kevin O’Connell has shed light on these talks and their implications for McCarthy.
O’Connell stated that “two things can be true at the same time” during a press briefing, emphasizing that the conversations with Rodgers do not reflect a lack of faith in McCarthy’s abilities. “The second part that can be true is Aaron Rodgers is a four-time NFL MVP, somebody for whom we’ve all had immense respect as competitors,” he noted. He also highlighted that Rodgers is at a point in his career that allows for open dialogue about his future. “We happened to be one of those teams he reached out to, and I have had a personal relationship with him since my playing days,” O’Connell added.
He further expressed his strong belief that McCarthy can make a significant impact for the Vikings next season. It will be interesting to see who ultimately secures the starting quarterback position, whether it’s McCarthy or Rodgers.
