EAGAN, Minn. — While it's uncertain who will be under center for the season opener on Sept. 8, Minnesota Vikings coach Kevin O'Connell disclosed who will be atop the depth chart when training camp kicks off.
The Vikings will take it slow with their quarterback-of-the-future as they intend to have Sam Darnold as their No. 1 quarterback entering training camp. Rookie J.J. McCarthy has shown flashes in OTAs and minicamp, but O'Connell and the Vikings' staff have maintained their intentions to take it slow with the University of Michigan product.
"Sam would be the guy I would look to based upon the spring he's had, and really, where he's at in his career — in his quarterback journey and what he's been able to do coming in — and really (being able) to hit the ground running and take advantage of a competitive situation," O'Connell said Wednesday. "At the same time, J.J.'s really improved, Nick Mullens has had a great spring and Jaren (Hall) has also improved."
Darnold signed with the Vikings back in March following Kirk Cousins' signing with the Atlanta Falcons. Darnold spent last season as Brock Purdy's backup in San Francisco, but has plenty of experience as a starter. He's started 56 games since being drafted No. 3 overall by the New York Jets in 2018.
However, when the Vikings selected McCarthy 10th overall in April's NFL Draft, making him the first quarterback selected in the top 10 in franchise history, there was some speculation that he might be an immediate starter. While O'Connell's designation Wednesday doesn't mean Darnold will start when the regular season kicks off, it does provide a little clarity as to where the quarterbacks currently stand.
"I've told all four of those guys that depth charts are great and it's great to understand where I'm at currently, today, but that will mean, really, nothing about the future — that'll mean nothing about a week or two out," O'Connell said. "Most importantly, we played four (starting quarterbacks) last year, including one guy who was not in our building throughout the offseason or training camp, so I have total understanding that we can only control so much of this whole thing."
Training camp begins Saturday, July 27 and will run through Thursday, Aug. 8.
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