JJ McCarthy says 'knee is doing fantastic' as Vikings face call over starting QB

JJ McCarthy is on the road to recovery after undergoing knee surgery, putting the futures of Sam Darnold and Daniel Jones with the Minnesota Vikings under the spotlight

JJ McCarthy has provided a new update on his recovery from knee surgery, fuelling speculation about the futures of Sam Darnold and Daniel Jones with the Minnesota Vikings.

McCarthy, the No.10 overall pick in the 2024 NFL Draft, was ruled out for his entire rookie year after tearing his right knee's meniscus in the preseason opener. This injury necessitated surgery, making him the first quarterback in NFL history to be selected in the first round of the draft and miss his entire rookie season due to injury.

In his absence, former New York Jets and Carolina Panthers QB Darnold has been outstanding, reviving his career and leading the Vikings to a 9-2 record. Darnold has emerged as one of the league's top quarterbacks, throwing for 2,717 yards and 21 touchdowns against 10 interceptions with a passer rating of 101.7.

However, given the significant draft investment in McCarthy, the Michigan alum is likely the future quarterback in Minnesota, leaving Darnold and Jones with decisions to make. Jones bid farewell to the New York Giants last month, despite having inked a whopping four-year, £160 million contract just shy of two years ago - a commitment seemingly influenced by a playoff win against the Vikings.

The Giants are still footing Jones's bill, making him an astute mid-season snatch for the Vikings. The former No. 6 pick from 2019 is banking on Vikings coach and QB maestro Kevin O'Connell to work the same magic on his career as he did with Darnold.

But both are fully aware of McCarthy's looming return to fitness, expected to be combat-ready for next season's training camp. "The knee is doing fantastic," McCarthy gushed to The LAB Podcast.

"It's on the road they told me it was going to be on, which is up and down. PRP (platelet-rich plasma injection), we got that done, so going in there and having to get cut open wasn't great, but it's alright because it's all part of the process and I'm in a good spot right now."

With Darnold enjoying the limelight as a regular starter, warming the bench again post-season will hardly appeal to him. As his current one-year, $10million Vikings contract runs out at this season's end, he's poised for some potent offers elsewhere.

However, he'll need to think carefully about his next move. Darnold has experienced the harsh realities of the NFL in terms of quarterback management, having been overwhelmed by the chaos at both the Jets and the Panthers.

The prospects elsewhere may not be better than in Minnesota, making a contract extension and the opportunity to compete with McCarthy for the starting role more attractive. Jones, on the other hand, might also decide to stay put and rebuild his confidence, but his future will likely depend on Darnold's decision.

He certainly won't be content with a third-string position, regardless of how effective O'Connell's coaching is.