JJ McCarthy's injury will have minimal impact this year if Sam Darnold plays well

Minnesota Vikings quarterback JJ McCarthy (9) is hit by Las Vegas Raiders safety Jaydon Grant (40) as he battles for yards during the first half of an NFL football game, Saturday, Aug. 10, 2024, in Minneapolis. (AP Photo/Bruce Kluckhohn)
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JJ McCarthy's season-ending knee injury is a major blow for the rookie quarterback and the Minnesota Vikings.

However, if Sam Darnold performs well this year, the impact will be minimal.

The Vikings paid Darnold $10 million to replace Kirk Cousins ​​for one season, with the plan being to give McCarthy a chance to watch and learn from the sidelines. Darnold was expected to be the starting quarterback in Week 1, and there's no guarantee he would have given the job up to McCarthy.

Minnesota Vikings quarterback Sam Darnold (14) throws against the Las Vegas Raiders during the first half of an NFL football game, Saturday, Aug. 10, 2024, in Minneapolis. (AP Photo/Charlie Neibergall)
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If he had done so, it would have likely meant the team would have struggled. In a tough NFC North with Detroit, Green Bay and a newly formed Chicago, a bad start could be Minnesota's undoing. The Vikings' win total is 6½, according to BetMGM Sportsbook. McCarthy's injury did not affect the total, as they were not expected to make the playoffs.

McCarthy, who led Michigan to the national title last season, caused a huge upset, with the Vikings trading up twice in the first round of the NFL Draft to get him with the 10th pick in hopes of getting their franchise quarterback for the next decade.

McCarthy's preseason debut – 11 of 17 passes for 188 yards, two touchdowns and an interception – fueled excitement, but his meniscus injury is disappointing for everyone in Minnesota.

But he is still the future. He should not be the present, so the 2024 season is not lost.

“As excited as I was to sign him, he's confirmed everything I was hoping to see, not only at the beginning of training camp, in his first performance last Saturday, but he should — our fan base and everyone should just be excited about the fact that we have, I think, our young franchise quarterback in house,” coach Kevin O'Connell said.

“And now it's just the unique aspect of continuing a very critical development process for him where the physical training may not be there in the short term. But that's just going to be a small stumbling block. Other quarterbacks in our league have gone through similar things early in their careers and come back stronger and better than ever. And that's not just my expectation – I know that's going to happen with JJ.”

Minnesota Vikings quarterback Sam Darnold watches from the sidelines during the first half of an NFL preseason game against the Cleveland Browns, Saturday, Aug. 17, 2024, in Cleveland. (AP Photo/David Richard)
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Several rookie QBs step in and play right away with varying degrees of success. Last season, it worked out perfectly for CJ Stroud and the Houston Texans. Stroud was the AP Offensive Rookie of the Year and helped the team go from worst to best in the AFC South. Bryce Young had a rough year in Carolina and Anthony Richardson was sidelined by injuries.

Many teams are more patient with young QBs. Of the 24 quarterbacks drafted in the first round since 2018, nine started in Week 1. Only Stroud and Mac Jones led their teams to the playoffs as rookies.

Even three-time Super Bowl MVP Patrick Mahomes waited a season behind Alex Smith in Kansas City.

One way to look at a positive in a negative situation is to consider that Darnold has the opportunity to play more freely and with less pressure. He is Minnesota's man, win or lose, and he has talent around him, led by superstar wide receiver Justin Jefferson.

Darnold doesn't have to look over his shoulder every time he makes a bad decision, throws an incomplete pass, or intercepts a ball. There's also the possibility that Darnold will thrive in a solid environment with strong coaching.

He's only 27, and this could be his last chance to live up to the hype he received as the No. 3 pick in 2018. Darnold lasted just three seasons with the woeful Jets and is now on his fourth team in five years. But he was 4-2 and played better in Carolina in 2022 before backing up Brock Purdy in San Francisco last season.

“I think our offense has the potential to be good,” Darnold said, dodging a question about his potential. “We have to work every day. If we do that, everything will be fine.”