The Vikings released their first depth chart of training camp on Tuesday, confirming a lot of what they have already told us (and what we already knew) in the past couple of weeks.
Why can’t the Vikings just name a backup quarterback?
On their first ‘unofficial’ depth chart this week, the Vikings listed Sam Darnold as the No. 1 quarterback. If you were hoping to gain further clarity on where rookie J.J. McCarthy stands, though, you will have to wait.
The Minnesota Star Tribune
August 7, 2024 at 10:52PM
Veteran Aaron Jones is the No. 1 running back. Justin Jefferson and Jordan Addison are at the top of the receiver depth chart. There aren’t any huge surprises along the offensive or defensive lines.
And of course, veteran Sam Darnold is listed atop the quarterback depth chart.
The Vikings, though, deprived us (at least temporarily) from the one kernel of information we thought we might get from the depth chart.
Which QB is No. 2?
Is it rookie J.J. McCarthy, the QB of the future? Is it Nick Mullens, the gunslinger who has appeared in nine games (including three starts) over the past two seasons with the Vikings?
Nope, the Vikings aren’t telling us that. They have their reasons, as I talked about on Wednesday’s Daily Delivery podcast, but it doesn’t make it any less frustrating or silly to see “McCarthy or Mullens” listed below Darnold and above second-year QB Jaren Hall.
Again, I understand the reason they did it. It goes like this:
If the Vikings would have listed McCarthy as the No. 2 QB on the depth chart — even an unofficial one in training camp — it would have signaled a certain progress. They wouldn’t have been beholden to it once the regular season started, but the No. 2 QB is only one injury away from hopping into a game.
The Vikings have been very clear that they aren’t going to rush McCarthy onto the field or jeopardize his development, so even naming him the No. 2 QB would have implications.
But naming McCarthy the No. 3 QB on the depth chart also would have sent a message, implied or not, that he still has a long way to go. It might have been the most honest answer; it also would have put some fans into a panic.
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Most of Kevin O’Connell’s job with McCarthy is helping him become the best possible QB he can be, but a part of the job along the way is managing the hype that comes with choosing a quarterback in the highest draft slot (No. 10) in franchise history.
O’Connell will find that out again Thursday when the Vikings have said they will reveal their plan for playing time during Saturday’s preseason opener, and he probably will get another dose depending on what happens in that game (the only one of the preseason at U.S. Bank Stadium).
At some point, the question will become “McCarthy or Darnold?” But for now, a cautious organization isn’t ready to reveal a decision between McCarthy or Mullens.
Here are four more things to know today:
- An alert podcast listener let me know that the Twins sent a survey to season ticket holders asking if they would be willing to spend $20 a month ($120 per season) on a direct-to-consumer streaming platform in 2025.
- Also on Wednesday’s show, Star Tribune summer sports intern Cassidy Hettesheimer joined to talk about her experience on the job and what to watch for the rest of the way in the Paris Olympics.
- The White Sox broke their 21-game losing streak. They’re now just 41 games behind Cleveland and 37 back of the Twins.
- I’m hoping for Thursday’s podcast to talk to folks who knew Minnesota Gov. Tim Walz as a high school football and basketball coach a quarter-century ago.
When he was hired after the disastrous 2016 season to reshape the Twins, Derek Falvey brought a reputation for identifying and developing pitching talent. It took a while, but the pipeline we were promised is now materializing.
