As the Minnesota Vikings position themselves to potentially secure the top seed in the NFC playoffs with Sam Darnold at the helm, the direction of the team's future at the quarterback position remains uncertain following their selection of J.J. McCarthy in the first round of the 2024 NFL Draft. According to insights from ESPN's Adam Schefter, there is an expectation that several teams will inquire about McCarthy's availability this offseason, emphasizing his status as a highly regarded prospect. Schefter stated, 'J.J. McCarthy would've been a top if not THE top QB in this draft,' suggesting that interest from other franchises is likely.

Darnold's performance as the starting quarterback in Minnesota has positioned the franchise favorably as they enter the offseason. One potential approach for the Vikings could involve using the franchise tag on Darnold, which would allow the team to give him another year to demonstrate his capabilities before potentially negotiating a long-term contract following the 2025 season. The Athletic’s Dianna Russini reported that the Vikings have a desire to retain Darnold for the upcoming season. The franchise tag value for a quarterback in 2025 is projected at $41.3 million, a figure that fits within Minnesota's estimated $78.1 million in available cap space.

However, this situation becomes complex, as allocating resources to Darnold without fully assessing McCarthy's potential may lead the Vikings into a dilemma during McCarthy's rookie contract. McCarthy was viewed as a developmental quarterback coming out of Michigan due to his relatively limited starting experience, having played 29 games over two seasons. While it is not uncommon for young quarterbacks to spend multiple years in a backup role before emerging as starters—similar to Jordan Love's trajectory with the Green Bay Packers—there are pressing considerations for Minnesota. Furthermore, the current NFL draft order reveals six teams within the top 10 that might be seeking new quarterbacks, yet only two prospects hold first-round grades for the 2025 class, adding another layer of complication to the Vikings' decision-making as they navigate both the futures of Darnold and McCarthy.