Vikings’ top 6 QB options for 2025: JJ McCarthy, Jimmy Garoppolo among top passes to replace Sam Darnold

Will there be a new starting quarterback for the Minnesota Vikings in 2025?

Sam Darnold has given them a solid return on investment, leading them to the NFC wild-card playoffs after signing a one-year, $10 million deal in March. But Darnold will now look to earn a lot more as a free agent this offseason.

The Vikings must decide whether to keep Darnold, 27, after his belated big breakout season or flip to 2024 first-round pick JJ McCarthy in Year 2. McCarthy missed his entire rookie season with a knee injury that required surgery, but he’s on track to get healthy by training camp.

Darnold fared well in the Vikings’ offensive system under Kevin O’Connell and former Jets teammate Josh McCown. Will he remain a contingency plan for McCarthy’s first season of action, or will the team rebuild with another veteran QB? Here breaks down their potential plans

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Vikings top 6 starting QB options in 2024

1. JJ McCarthy

The Vikings can return to their scheme of running with McCarthy, the No. 10 overall pick in ’24. Even though he didn’t play at all, he still had time to absorb O’Connell’s attack last summer, and they might just throw him in there for the second year of his rookie contract with great optimism their system will continue to work.

2. Jimmy Garoppolo

Garoppolo was with the 49ers before Darnold, and he just played in an O’Connell-adjacent offense for Sean McVay as Matthew Stafford’s backup, showing well in a fill-in start in Week 18. He can transition well to at least replace Darnold and Nick Mullens on the depth chart behind McCarthy, and he could start a few games early in 2025 if needed.

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3. Daniel Jones

The Vikings took a worthy flier on Jones after his release from the Giants. He profiles as a good “redevelopment” no. 2 for McCarthy given his ability with strong arms and athleticism. They can stand pat and be comfortable with Jones in the system if he has to play bridge.

4. Kirk Cousins

Cousins ​​is 36 and coming off a miserable one-season stint with the Falcons where he was an expensive disappointment at the end, replaced by rookie first-rounder Michael Penix Jr. But if he’s willing to take a smaller deal to extend his career vs. retires, Cousins ​​can come “back home” to play for O’Connell, for whom he had his best NFL season.

5. Sam Darnold

The Vikings could also decide to keep playing it slow with the recovering McCarthy and bring back Darnold, but it may be difficult to convince him to come back on another one-year deal unless he gets a big bump in annual salary and guaranteed money . Then again, Darnold might realize he needs to stay in O’Connell’s offense to keep performing well, leading to a smaller contract.

6. Jameis Winston

Winston is only 31 and still has some left as a leader and downfield passer. His aggressive nature could fit in well as another highly-drafted veteran reclamation project for O’Connell if all other McCarthy contingencies fall through.