Why Sam Darnold may have sealed J.J. McCarthy’s fate after Vikings duds

Why Sam Darnold may have sealed J.J. McCarthy’s fate after Vikings duds

Don’t go putting J.J. McCarthy in different uniforms — including the Giants’ — just yet.

Sam Darnold’s second straight Jets-esque performance in a primetime game, this one ending the Vikings’ season Monday night in the 27-9 wild-card loss to the Rams, has perhaps helped solidify to Minnesota decision-makers how they should handle their upcoming quarterback controversy.

While Darnold deserves kudos, applause and perhaps even the Comeback Player of the Year Award for leading the Vikings to a 14-4 record, the reality is, he folded in the two biggest games of the season.

Joseph Rondone/The Republic / USA TODAY NETWORK via Imagn Images

McCarthy, the 10th overall pick by the Vikings in last year’s NFL draft, now waits in the wings.

Some had speculated whether the Vikings should trade McCarthy due to Darnold’s ascension, but these two ugly showings against the Lions and Rams, are warts that will be hard to remove.

Darnold, 27, looked like the former Jets bust in those games, taking bad sacks, making poor throws and leading his team to nine points in both games.

He completed just 43-of-81 (53.1 percent) of his throws for 411 yards with one touchdown and one interception over the last two weeks, including Monday’s 25-of-40 showing that includes the touchdown and interception. He also lost a fumble for a touchdown in the blowout playoff loss.

J.J. McCarthy did not play a regular-season snap this season due to knee surgeries. AP

“I feel I left a couple throws out there that I could have been better on,” Darnold said. “Just too many mistakes on my end. … I clearly didn’t play good enough the last couple of weeks.”

It’s possible the Vikings could still use the franchise tag on Darnold, but giving him a lucrative deal and trading McCarthy after these back-to-back duds would raise some flags.

As of now, this season — the best of his career — is the outlier in a career that featured far too many underwhelming seasons with the Jets and Panthers.

Darnold said he’s not worried about how these two weeks will affect his future.

Sam Darnold fumbles during Monday’s loss. USA TODAY Sports via Reuters Con

“It’s very important we all think about Sam’s body of work, what he was able to do this year, when not very many people thought he would be able to lead a team to 14 wins,” Vikings coach Kevin O’Connell said. “It did not work out in the end, and I think Sam would be the first one to tell you. Could he have played better tonight? I’m sure he would tell you he could have. … Sam, and the journey him and I went on this year, will always be something that’s a special place in my heart, for sure.”

This isn’t to say that McCarthy, 21, is a sure-fire, can’t-miss prospect and this decision is a no-brainer.

He’s undergone two knee surgeries since tearing his meniscus over the summer and has not played a single NFL snap. There are even some who wondered about his ceiling entering the league.

But having a quarterback on a rookie deal is the biggest cheat code in the NFL — aside from having Patrick Mahomes — and the Vikings believe enough in McCarthy to have selected him in the top 10.

Kevin O’Connell praised Darnold for his performance this season. AP

Teams need to make decisions with championship aspirations — well, maybe the Giants don’t do this — and Darnold, when it mattered, did not look like a quarterback who can lead a team to the promised land.

There are unknowns with McCarthy, including his ceiling and floor.

“Just far too many negatives,” O’Connell said. “Really over the last two weeks, too many negative plays that set you behind.”

If the Vikings opt to let Darnold hit free agency, it would provide a possible option for quarterback-needy teams like the Giants or possibly the Browns.

And in that scenario, the Vikings would hope their first-round pick can thrive in these critical games where Darnold, in an otherwise great season, looked like he saw ghosts again.

“At the end of the day, all that matters is when you have a good season, what do you do in the playoffs?” Darnold said. “We didn’t get it done and that’s all that matters.”

Related Posts

Antonio Brown sends rare heartfelt message to Tom Brady amid repeated jabs at ex-teammate

Antonio Brown sends rare heartfelt message to Tom Brady amid repeated jabs at ex-teammate

Antonio Brown has insisted he ‘loves’ Tom Brady despite taking repeated sH๏τs at his ex-teammate and seemingly mocking a recent message from the legendary quarterback. The embattled Brown,…

NFL star Jordan Mailata leaves Jason Kelce and country icon Chris Stapleton stunned after showing off shock talent

NFL star Jordan Mailata leaves Jason Kelce and country icon Chris Stapleton stunned after showing off shock talent

Philadelphia Eagles star Jordan Mailata revealed himself to be a man of many talents on Saturday night, serenading country music star Chris Stapleton with an incredible rendition…

How Derek Carr spent his first day of retirement after shock decision to quit the NFL and pᴀss on m deal

How Derek Carr spent his first day of retirement after shock decision to quit the NFL and pᴀss on $30m deal

Derek Carr won’t be relaxing in retirement if the first day of his post-NFL life is anything to go by. The former Raiders and Saints quarterback shocked…

Russell Wilson gets his answer from wife Ciara after NFL star pleads for baby No 5

Russell Wilson gets his answer from wife Ciara after NFL star pleads for baby No 5

Russell Wilson’s campaign to have baby No. ‘Cinco’ with his wife, Ciara, appears to have been denied by the R&B singer. The couple, who wed in 2016,…

BREAKING NEWSTaylor Swift and Travis Kelce stun diners in Philadelphia as they break cover for Mother’s Day lunch

BREAKING NEWSTaylor Swift and Travis Kelce stun diners in Philadelphia as they break cover for Mother’s Day lunch

Taylor Swift and Travis Kelce have been spotted out in public together for the first time in months, reportedly joining Jason, Kylie and both of their moms…

Tom Brady sends message to ex-wife Gisele Bundchen on her first Mother’s Day with new baby

Tom Brady sends message to ex-wife Gisele Bundchen on her first Mother’s Day with new baby

Tom Brady shared a poignant message to about ex-wife Gisele Bundchen on her first Mother’s Day since having a baby her new lover, Joaquim Valente. The seven-time…