It was a rather disappointing Week 10 for the Minnesota Vikings, who fell at home to the 4-5 Baltimore Ravens, losing 27-19. The Vikings came into this game hoping to improve their standing in a very competitive NFC North, where they currently sit in fourth place.
Every team in the NFC North has at least five wins, with two teams holding six victories. The Vikings are placing themselves in a tough spot, and there are a few players drawing scrutiny for the team’s struggles.
After moving on from Sam Darnold and allowing him to sign with the Seattle Seahawks, questions arose about how rookie J. J. McCarthy would settle in, especially after dealing with an injury in his first season. While McCarthy has shown glimpses of potential, he struggled mightily against the Ravens, completing just 20 of 42 passes and throwing two interceptions.
Some experts believe the Vikings must consider a quarterback change or at least create competition at the position. Mike Florio, speaking on “Pro Football Talk,” emphasized the need for the Vikings to sign a quarterback this offseason and not simply hand McCarthy the starting job.
“Vikings need a quarterback competition,” Florio said. “I think they need to sign somebody in the offseason, not as the ‘you’re going to be the starter and J. J. is out.’ I think they need to make him earn it against someone. They need him in day-to-day competition to push him toward his ceiling. And whatever his ceiling is, it is what it is.
“Right now, I am concerned the ceiling isn’t where it needs to be because we can’t have one week where it all clicks. It’s not like he’s ever going to be a gunslinger. He’s never going to be Matthew Stafford. It’s going to be about what he can do at the right time—make the right play in the right spot. Sometimes we win, sometimes we don’t.”
If the Vikings allowed Darnold to walk only for McCarthy to fall short of becoming the star they’re hoping for, it will certainly raise questions among the fan base. That is likely to be an important factor as the team evaluates its quarterback situation moving forward.
https://www.newsweek.com/sports/nfl/long-time-nfl-analyst-calls-for-qb-competition-for-vikings-amid-j-j-mccarthys-struggles-11026342
