The Minnesota Vikings will officially usher in a new era in 2024 after moving on from starting quarterback Kirk Cousins earlier this offseason. Ready to turn over a new leaf, a successful season would mean first-round quarterback J.J. McCarthy eventually establishes himself as the future of the franchise.
The Vikings failed to meet expectations in 2023. Kevin O'Connell's squad finished the campaign 7-10, coming nowhere near matching their 13-4 record from 2022. Injuries capped their potential, though even when healthy, the Vikings never quite looked like their dominant 2022 selves.
They began the 2023 campaign at 0-3, but eventually won five consecutive contests to bring their record to 6-4. Cousins suffered a season-ending Achilles injury versus the Green Bay Packers in Week 8, effectively ending Minnesota's season. The Vikings spent the remaining portion cycling through mediocre quarterbacks, going 1-6 in their final seven games, including four straight losses to end the season.
Cousins signed a four-year, $180 million contract with the Atlanta Falcons in free agency. Left without a clear-cut starting QB, the Vikings signed potential bridge option Sam Darnold to a one-year deal. When the draft rolled around in April, the worst-kept secret became reality when they traded up for McCarthy.
How often QBs have thrown over the middle in the NFL vs college (beyond LOS). JJ McCarthy leads this class and one reason why MIN landing spot is interesting. pic.twitter.com/m8XXLL2afF
— Football Insights 📊 (@fball_insights) July 16, 2024
The early expectation is that Darnold, not McCarthy, will begin the regular season as the starting quarterback. McCarthy routinely worked as the No. 2 QB throughout OTAs and minicamp and often struggled with ball protection.
The Vikings appear committed to bringing McCarthy along slowly. Darnold's presence allows them to exercise patience, but it would be difficult to define the 2024 campaign as a successful one if McCarthy fails to supplant Darnold at some point. He was drafted with a premium first-round pick to be the new franchise quarterback, and you'd like to see signs of meeting that potential this season.
Vikings legend Randy Moss calls for JJ McCarthy Week ONE. pic.twitter.com/vYwnm6sqax
— Kay Adams (@heykayadams) July 15, 2024
The supporting cast is outstanding on paper. Justin Jefferson is locked in via a newly minted four-year, $140 million extension. Jordan Addison established himself as a high-end WR2 as a rookie. T.J. Hockenson is an elite tight end when healthy, and even the running game has been upgraded following the signing of veteran running back Aaron Jones.
The defense has gone through some changes after losing Danielle Hunter, Jordan Hicks, and D.J. Wonnum to free agency. General manager Kwesi Adofo-Mensah did a decent job replacing them, luring Jonathan Greenard and Andrew Van Ginkel via free agency, and also drafted Alabama pass-rusher Dallas Turner with the No. 17 overall selection. Defensive coordinator Brian Flores has the pieces in place to support the offense.
McCarthy finds himself in as good of a situation as a rookie quarterback can realistically ask for. The Vikings aren't a perennial rebuilding loser. They possess a roster capable of achieving postseason contention. The onus is on McCarthy to step up and seize the job from Darnold's grasp at some point. Darnold himself will relish his opportunity to play with this supporting cast after struggling alongside lackluster ones with the Carolina Panthers and New York Jets.
It'll be tough to define the Vikings' 2024 season as a success if McCarthy doesn't emerge.
