NFL Rumors: Vikings Still See McCarthy as Future QB1 amid Darnold Contract Decision

The Minnesota Vikings are reportedly expecting J.J. McCarthy to remain the future QB1 regardless of whether the team franchise tags or re-signs Sam Darnold.

According to The Athletic's Alec Lewis, the organization still has an "internal sentiment" of "McCarthy being the Vikings' future."

Per Lewis, Vikings leadership "has long been hopeful that it could pair a promising young quarterback on a rookie contract with ample spending on the rest of the roster."

Accordingly, Lewis believes it's unlikely the Vikings will offer Darnold a multiyear extension.

McCarthy, who missed his rookie season and underwent multiple right knee surgeries after suffering an injury in his Aug. 10 preseason debut, recently said he expects to rejoin Vikings in time for OTAs this spring.

"We're ahead of schedule, on track, whatever you want to call it," McCarthy said two weeks ago when speaking with Sports Illustrated's Claudette Montana.

As of Tuesday, the Vikings have the option to franchise-tag Darnold until the exclusive signing period closes on March 4. Over the Cap projects the cost of tagging a quarterback will exceed $41.3 million.

That's a steep cost to keep Darnold under team control. ESPN's Kevin Seifert recently predicted it is "more likely" the Vikings use the tag on another player like cornerback Byron Murphy Jr.

The Vikings came within one victory of tying the franchise's single-season record during Darnold's 14-win campaign as the starter but ended the campaign by tumbling into the Wild Card round and being subsequently eliminated in a blowout loss to the Los Angeles Rams.

Although head coach Kevin O'Connell said after the Vikings' elimination that it was important to consider Darnold's "body of work" rather than focus on those last two games, the end of the season could have impacted what Minnesota is willing to give up to retain him.

If the team doesn't sign Darnold, he will be able to speak with other teams when free agency opens March 10.

Even if the Vikings do find a way to bring back Darnold for another season, however, it sounds like the organization's plans haven't fundamentally changed since O'Connell said McCarthy was the organization's "franchise quarterback" last August.