Mark J. Rebilas-Imagn Images
The Minnesota Vikings have decisions to make at the quarterback position. Sam Darnold was brought in as a bridge quarterback with veteran experience to be a locker room presence and the backup quarterback. Rookie franchise quarterback J.J. McCarthy was drafted in the 2024 draft with the 10th overall pick to be the replacement for previous starting quarterback Kirk Cousins. Unfortunately for Minnesota McCarthy suffered a season ending knee injury making for back up quarterback Sam Darnold to be the starter.
Sam Darnold played well in relief of J.J. McCarthy over 16 games until down the stretch with the last two games. Sam Darnold struggled and the Minnesota Vikings lost to the Detroit Lions 31-9. Followed up by an embarrassing loss on the road to the lower seeded Los Angeles Rams in the NFC Wild Card Round, 27-9.
Brock Purdy is entering the final year of his four-year rookie contract being the last pick of the 2022 NFL Draft in the seventh round as Mr. Irrelevant. The San Francisco 49ers must decide on Purdy in the final year of his contract. Do the San Francisco 49ers like what they have witnessed over the first three years with Brock Purdy at starting quarterback? Year two, Brock Purdy led the 49ers to the Super Bowl, coming up short against the Kansas City Chiefs. With Brock Purdy on his rookie deal, this is the perfect time for 49ers general manager John Lynch to trade Purdy to the Minnesota Vikings, a team that needs a bridge quarterback like Purdy, so there is no rush to bring back J.J. McCarthy.