The Minnesota Vikings might be watching in regret as the Seattle Seahawks take on the New England Patriots in the Super Bowl on Sunday.
Seahawks quarterback Sam Darnold led the Vikings to a similarly strong season in 2024, and the Vikings let him get away in free agency for a $100.5 million contract. Minnesota handed over the offense to second-year quarterback J.J. McCarthy, a No. 10 pick who hadn’t played a snap yet due to injury.
The Vikings stumbled to a 9–8 record, missed the playoffs, and recently fired Kwesi Adofo-Mensah. Minnesota faces more questions than answers in the coming weeks, with a general manager search ahead and the future at quarterback looking all the more questionable after McCarthy’s so-so season.
“Everyone knows the difficulty of the quarterback position this year, how we were dealt it,” Vikings star wide receiver Justin Jefferson recently told USA Today Sports.
“But having a quarterback that already had a season under his belt with us, knew the plays, knew the playbook, knew the players, throwing to me, Jordan Addison, T.J. Hockenson, all these guys, I definitely feel like we would have done better.”
Darnold under center would have made a difference for the Vikings, but it likely wouldn’t have resulted in Seahawks-like results. According to Pro Football Focus, Seattle had a higher-ranked offensive line in the regular season at No. 15 in the league, and the Vikings were No. 18 overall.
In addition, the Vikings made changes to the offensive line that were only possible with Darnold’s departure, allowing them to save salary cap space. Those changes didn’t pay off as McCarthy, Carson Wentz, and Max Brosmer took hits all season.
Darnold then rose to the occasion in the playoffs with two wins, including a shootout victory over the Los Angeles Rams in the NFC Championship Game. He notably fell to the Rams the year before with the Vikings in the Wild Card round.
“It’s definitely tough. It’s tough to watch,” Jefferson said.
“Of course, I love that he’s in the Super Bowl. I’m happy for him, I want nothing but the best for him, especially the way his journey was at first, people doubting him and people not giving him the respect. Now they’re giving him that respect. Now they’re seeing that he’s a top-tier quarterback in this league.”
“Of course, selfishly, I wish that he had done that for us last year, but to see him blossom and bounce back right after last year and make it this year, I’m all happy for him, and I hope he wins,” Jefferson added.
“I’m rooting for Seattle, and I think Seattle’s gonna win. I’ll be rooting for him.”
Minnesota will likely go for a veteran quarterback to push McCarthy, but finding someone who can produce like Darnold is slim without spending big. The Vikings have one of the league’s poorest salary-cap situations, with $40.63 million over the cap.
With Adofo-Mensah out, the Vikings will turn to executive vice president of football operations Rob Brzezinski to handle general manager duties through the draft in April. Afterward, the Vikings will commence a search for a new general manager with both free agency and the draft in the books.
The next general manager won’t be tied to the McCarthy pick, which could impact how the Vikings move forward at quarterback. Minnesota could go in numerous directions during free agency, and the draft offers a few options, but the Vikings don’t pick until No. 18 in the first round.
