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NFL insider has bold prediction about J.J. McCarthy and his future

Trent Knoop|
Jeffrey Becker-Imagn Images

After the Minnesota Vikings were eliminated from the playoffs last week after a blowout loss to the Los Angeles Rams, people began to wonder what's next for the Vikings. Minnesota selected former Michigan quarterback J.J. McCarthy with the tenth overall pick in the 2024 NFL Draft. He was supposed to be the guy at some point in '24, but after sustaining a meniscus injury in the preseason, he missed the entire season.

Then the door opened for veteran Sam Darnold. The former USC quarterback signed a one year deal for $10 million and he starred for the season as the starting quarterback -- until it mattered. The old Darnold came out in the final two games against the Lions and Rams which really makes people wonder if the Vikings could sign Darnold to a long-term deal with McCarthy in the wings.

Depending on who you listen to, or read, there are different views. But ESPN's Ben Solak believes the Vikings will give Darnold a lengthly extension and look to trade their future franchise quarterback.

"I really, truly believe the Vikings will extend Darnold," Solak wrote. "They have the room for something in the Daniel Jones neighborhood -- four years, $160 million is probably optimal, if they can get Darnold to sign that before another team in the free market offers him a whale of a deal. Depending on the size of the contract, they'll either keep McCarthy or quietly look to trade him ahead of a bad quarterback draft class and see if a needy team takes the bait."

There is little doubt that if McCarthy would've stayed one more year at Michigan, he would be the top picked quarterback in the 2025 NFL Draft. Neither Colorado's Sheduer Sanders nor Miami's Cam Ward would be picked over McCarthy. So could a quarterback-needy team make a call to Minnesota? Sure. But with all the investment the Vikings have in McCarthy, it's hard to believe they can bail on him after an injured rookie season -- especially with what they saw from Darnold in the final two, crucial games of the season.

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Trent Knoop
TRENT KNOOP

Trent began writing and covering Michigan athletics back in 2020. He became a credentialed member of the media in 2021. Trent began writing with Sports Illustrated in 2023 and became the Managing Editor for Michigan Wolverines On SI during the 2025 football season. Trent also serves as the Publisher of Baylor Bears on SI. His other bylines have appeared on Maryland on SI, Wisconsin on SI, and across the USA TODAY Sports network. Trent’s love of sports and being able to tell stories to fans is what made him get into writing.

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