One of the most notable pending free agents this offseason is Minnesota Vikings quarterback Sam Darnold, who is fresh off a breakout 2024 season that saw him revive his career.
Darnold completed 66.2% of his passes for 4,319 yards and 35 touchdowns to 12 picks, which earned him his first Pro Bowl nod. Overall, the Vikings went 14-3 before being bounced in the first round of the playoffs.
Typically, it would be an easy decision to bring Darnold back, but the Vikings also have second-year quarterback J.J. McCarthy, who was drafted in the first round of the 2024 NFL Draft to be Minnesota’s long-term starter.
However, McCarthy suffered a knee injury that knocked him out for the entire year, which makes him a total wild card entering 2025. If the Vikings don’t bring Darnold back, they would be wise to sign a veteran insurance policy for McCarthy.
If they go that route, TWSN’s Marrisa Myers believes the Vikings will ink Pittsburgh Steelers backup quarterback Justin Fields, who is set to hit the open market after playing out the final year of his $18 million rookie contract.
“On the flip side they would have JJ McCarthy who they drafted last year to be their future franchise quarterback,” Myers wrote. “Yet, McCarthy missed his entire rookie season due to a knee injury. He will need to adjust with getting back up to playing speed, and have to overcome the ‘rookie’ learning curve as well. The Vikings need a quarterback under center that can compete right away and do so in a way that results in wins. There just so happens to be another quarterback in free agency that can do exactly that for Minnesota. That quarterback is Justin Fields.”
The Steelers acquired Fields in a trade with the Chicago Bears last offseason. He started in the first six games of the campaign in place of an injured Russell Wilson and posted a 4-2 record in those contests, but he did not take the reins again the rest of the season after Wilson was healthy.
Fields didn’t show much progress from the his days with the Bears, but the Steelers also had a lackluster situation around him, so perhaps going to a better offensive group and coach in Minnesota would benefit him like it did Darnold.
In Fields, the Vikings would have a backup who can keep them competitive in the event McCarthy isn’t ready to start or stumbles during his second season. Spotrac estimates Fields will land a one-year, $6.4 million deal, a price the Vikings can easily afford with a projected $63.3 million in cap space.
That said, we’re not so sure Fields would be open to going to Minnesota, as he’ll be looking for an opportunity to start, something the Vikings may not be able to afford him if they roll with McCarthy to begin the season.
