Kirk Herbstreit Makes Surprise Statement on JJ McCarthy

The Minnesota Vikings' quarterback situation seems to be taking shape.

The Vikings didn't franchise tag QB Sam Darnold before the deadline passed on Tuesday. Fox Sports NFL insider  Jordan Schultz reported, "Minnesota still wants Darnold back, but the numbers will need to align." 

Free agency starts on March 12 at 4 p.m. ET. If Darnold signs elsewhere, the Vikings may roll with QB JJ McCarthy. The former Michigan star didn't play his rookie season because of a meniscus tear. While McCarthy's an unproven commodity, ESPN/Amazon Prime analyst Kirk Herbstreit thinks the 22-year-old will elevate Minnesota's offense.

 "You never know with quarterbacks, but watching these guys and watching the intangibles, putting [head coach Kevin O'Connell] with JJ McCarthy and the talent on that roster, to me, the Vikings go to another level with JJ McCarthy," Herbstreit said Tuesday on "The Pat McAfee Show."

O'Connell, entering his fourth season with Minnesota, is considered a QB whisperer. In 2022, former Minnesota QB Kirk Cousins (now with the Atlanta Falcons) recorded 4,547 passing yards in 17 starts, the second most in his career. 

In 2024, Darnold tossed a career-high 35 touchdown passes. In his first six seasons with the New York Jets, Carolina Panthers and San Francisco 49ers, the 27-year-old QB never threw more than 19 touchdown passes. 

The Vikings also have wide receiver Justin Jefferson, a four-time Pro Bowler. In 17 games in 2024, he caught 103 passes for 1,533 receiving yards and 10 touchdowns.

The Vikings took McCarthy with pick No. 10 in the 2024 NFL Draft. In the 2023 season, he won a national championship at Michigan. He could continue to thrive in Minnesota, which went 14-3 in 2024.