The Vikings are getting deep into training camp and 22-year-old quarterback J.J. McCarthy — the undisputed guy heading into the 2025 season — is preparing to start their first preseason game Saturday.
Handing the keys to McCarthy is a decision the Vikings made months ago, and the more time that passes, the easier it is to forget that other options were on the table at various points.
On Thursday’s Daily Delivery podcast, I noted some of them and want to get into that in even finer detail here in today’s 10 things to know.
- If the Vikings had wanted to run it back: They could have made a stronger push to sign Sam Darnold, who went 14-3 last season and made the Pro Bowl. That would have been an expensive option given the contract Darnold signed in Seattle (where he is also the clear starter) and pushed McCarthy’s timeline back at least a year (or possibly two). The Vikings might not have been able to afford as many upgrades as they made on the offensive and defensive lines, but it would have been understandable even given the disappointing losses to the Lions and Rams at the end of last year.
- If the Vikings had wanted more of a true camp battle: They could have pushed harder to sign Daniel Jones. The Vikings picked up Jones in 2024 after his tenure ended with the Giants. The Colts gave him a little more than $13 million guaranteed in 2025 and he’s entrenched in a battle for the top job with third-year QB Anthony Richardson (they are listed as co-No. 1s on Indy’s first depth chart). Would that have been better than a clear line between McCarthy and his backups? I don’t think so.
- If the Vikings had tried to catch lightning in a bottle: They would have signed Aaron Rodgers. The 41-year-old would have been the presumed starter had he signed here. He also carries off-field baggage and hasn’t played at an elite level (albeit MVP level) since 2021. It sounds like things are going relatively well in Pittsburgh, where Rodgers signed a one-year deal with $10 million guaranteed, but it’s hard to know how he will fare or how things would have worked here.
- If the Vikings had wanted to maintain the status quo: They would have stuck with Kirk Cousins and eschewed drafting McCarthy in 2024. But that would have been both expensive and the wrong football move. Cousins lost his starting job less than a year into his Atlanta tenure and is now a backup hoping to get traded. He isn’t playing in the Falcons’ preseason opener. Even if McCarthy struggles this season, drafting him and jettisoning Cousins was the smartest thing the current regime has done.
- Meanwhile, in Chicago: 2024 No. 1 overall pick Caleb Williams has been struggling at times, but I found the “controversy” over his reaction to misfiring in a drill to be dramatically overblown. That said, the Bears’ success (or lack thereof) this year will have a considerable impact on the Vikings.
- The Twins aren’t better than they were a week ago, but I’ve heard from numerous fans that they are more interesting after jettisoning 10 players at the deadline. Hitting a bunch of homers, getting Luke Keaschall back and taking two of three from Detroit certainly helps everyone’s mood.
- The Twins’ outlook in 2026 depends a lot on pitching and whether they trade any front-end starters this offseason. La Velle E. Neal III and I talked about that and more on Thursday’s podcast.
- A lot of eyes are on Class AAA St. Paul when it comes to starting pitching. Three prospects obtained at the deadline have debuted there recently. Mick Abel and Taj Bradley have both performed well in their initial outings (11 innings, one run combined). Kendry Rojas, a left-hander obtained in the Louie Varland trade, is scheduled to start Thursday.
- Minnesota United had a disappointing all around night on Wednesday.
- Minnesota Star Tribune intern Shelby Swanson will join me on Friday’s podcast to talk all things Lynx.
