(Photo by Hannah Foslien/Getty Images)
The Minnesota Vikings were dealt a blow earlier this week when it was announced that J.J. McCarthy would miss the 2024 NFL season due to a torn meniscus.
McCarthy underwent season-ending surgery and is expected to make a full recovery, though this is certainly not the news the Vikings were expecting.
Sam Darnold was slated to begin the regular season as Minnesota’s starting quarterback and is now in line to hold onto the job for the entirety of the year.
The initial plan seemed to be to let Darnold start while McCarthy developed in the background, but now the former will get his shot to prove he can still start for a team.
A former first-round pick, Darnold has the pedigree to be successful and he’ll have the offensive weapons and defense to do it.
In fact, analysts like Jared Smith believe that Darnold doesn’t even have to be amazing to win games for the Vikings via FOX Sports Radio.
“All they need is for Sam Darnold to be average and they will succeed this year,” Smith said.
“All they need is for Sam Darnold to be average and they will succeed this year.”
@jaredleesmith, @ohrnberger, and @TheNoeShow discuss the JJ McCarthy injury in Minnesota.
Countdown to Kickoff, presented by @BetMGM pic.twitter.com/dlo5qeEZ3E
— FOX Sports Radio (@FoxSportsRadio) August 17, 2024
The infrastructure is certainly in place for Darnold to do well as he’s got players like Justin Jefferson, T.J. Hockenson and Jordan Addison to lean on in the passing game, while also having a solid running back duo in Aaron Jones and Ty Chandler.
Defensively, Minnesota has pieces to keep them in games and ensure that Darnold doesn’t have to play too much hero ball to dig them out of situations.
It’s a big year for Darnold who has every chance to show what he could do when given an opportunity.
The post Analyst Says 1 Vikings Player ‘Just Needs To Be Average’ For Team To Compete appeared first on The Cold Wire.