The Minnesota Vikings may have drafted J.J. McCarthy to be their quarterback of the future, but that doesn’t guarantee Sam Darnold is on his way out.
Former Cleveland Browns first-round quarterback Johnny Manziel appeared on his podcast with The Action Network ahead of the draft and speculated McCarthy’s prospects in Minnesota may be more clouded despite the Vikings moving on from Kirk Cousins because of Darnold.
“I truly feel, based off who Sam Darnold is in that room, whoever comes to Minnesota, if they do indeed go with a quarterback [in the draft], is gonna have their hands full with Sam Darnold,” Manziel said. “I know that may raise a little bit of red flags and raise a couple heads up off the table, but Sam Darnold can play football. That guy can sling the rock, he was drafted where he was for a reason, and he’s been waiting for a situation like this.”
Manziel has first-hand experience working with Kevin O’Connell and quarterbacks coach Josh McCown from his time in Cleveland — and between the coaching staff and the Vikings’ talent on offense, this situation is one that Darnold has been waiting for, according to Manziel.
So when you look at the Vikings, you have to ask yourself, ‘Is [McCarthy] an upgrade over what they have currently in the [quarterback] room,” Manziel asked.
While Darnold’s reputation took a considerable downturn throughout his career with the New York Jets and Carolina Panthers, the former No. 3 overall pick is still only 26 years old and has time to mature in one of the best situations in the NFL.
