With McCarthy sidelined, Sam Darnold won the starting job and exceeded expectations, leading the Vikings to a 14–3 record and ...

That has earned Kevin O'Connell coach of the year honors, with 361 points and 25 of the 50 first-place votes. He beat out ...

Breer added that the Vikings feel "McCarthy can at least be a solid starter." ...

J.J. McCarthy and Sam Darnold's fates have intertwined with the Minnesota Vikings, and nobody is quite sure how the future will play out, including perhaps the quarterback themselves.

Sam Darnold had an inspiring 2024 season for the Minnesota Vikings, at least until an ugly two-game finish that may have rerouted his future with the team. Coach Kevin O'Connell all but confirmed ...

And then, not long afterward, the 2025 offseason will get underway with what could be a big wave of big-name activity at the ...

If Minnesota makes the wrong choice on Darnold's future, it could haunt the franchise for a generation. GM Kwesi Adofo-Mensah ...

McCarthy's future is also another layer that is largely glossed over.

The potential terms of Vikings coach Kevin O'Connell's contract extension are expected to align with J.J. McCarthy's development plan.

They also had rookie J.J. McCarthy ... by McCarthy’s rookie contract. The team could let Darnold sign elsewhere, hope to recoup a future compensatory pick — like the projected 2025 third-round ...

Kevin O'Connell has won the NFL's Coach of the Year award after leading the Minnesota Vikings to 14 wins, doubling the team's victory total from 2023.