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Things were looking promising for Sam Darnold throughout the 2024 NFL season. He was putting together a career year and looked to be a top free agent. Over the last two games, though, things have changed and now the Minnesota Vikings will be searching for a different answer at quarterback.
The Vikings were in a spot to secure the first seed in the NFC. Over the last two games, Darnold saw a massive decline in his production. Against the Lions to end the season, he completed just 43.9% of his passes for 166 yards, and no touchdowns. In the playoff game against the Los Angeles Rams, he completed 62.5% of his passes for 245 yards and a touchdown but also threw an interception and lost a fumble. Darnold looked as if he was seeing ghosts, and the Vikings now know their true ceiling with him as a quarterback.
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On the flip side they would have JJ McCarthy who they drafted last year to be their future franchise quarterback. Yet, McCarthy missed his entire rookie season due to a knee injury. He will need to adjust with getting back up to playing speed, and have to overcome the “rookie” learning curve as well.
The Vikings need a quarterback under center that can compete right away and do so in a way that results in wins. There just so happens to be another quarterback in free agency that can do exactly that for Minnesota. That quarterback is Justin Fields.
Fields was finally showcasing signs of growth this season as a passer playing for the Pittsburgh Steelers. He was winning games while reading the field better and still utilizing his athleticism as a runner. Before Russell Wilson got healthy and took over the starting role, Fields threw for 1,106 yards and five touchdowns to just one interception. On the ground, he had 289 yards and five touchdowns.
In Kevin O’Connell’s offensive system, Fields could truly elevate it, plus with having spent three seasons on the Chicago Bears, Fields knows the NFC North. With Fields, if McCarthy isn’t ready, he can automatically start, all while helping mentor McCarthy as well.