You want JJ to succeed the most, he needs a season where he’s taking snaps as number 2, getting familiar with the receivers and playbook, speed and flow. He didn’t have anytime doing that this year. You would be throwing him out there like a college freshman who enrolled a semester early. Best to to give him a year, if you can.
Didn't do much at Michigan cough (a national championship and a second college football playoff appearance) is a whole hell of a lot more than what Caleb Williams did at USC.
And let's not forget the secondary has a couple aging players (hitman and gilmore). Plus while I would hope Flores remains the DC for many years to come, I would be shocked if he isn't a HC somewhere next year.
He was pretty damn close to winning the job in training camp. He has had all year to understand the system, lingo, etc. He has had mental reps. Is training camp enough to give him the physical reps next year? I am not sure, but Bo Nix has had a hell of year this year. Why can't McCarthy be on that level (with a hole hell of a lot more talent around him than Bo Nix has).
If they can't sign him to an extension, I hope Kwesi franchise tags Murphy. He has lowkey been balling out at Corner and is a legit top 10 corner in the league right now. Outside of him, Gilmore has been fine but is getting old and Griffin has been marginal. Not sure how Blackmon is progressing, but they definitely need help there. I hope they sign DJ Reed from NYJ. He and Murphy could be a nice lockdown combo.
I don't disagree, which is why I think they do another reclamation project with Daniel Jones and try and build a sustainable roster around them. If JJ isn't ready, let Daniel start and then if things aren't going well, make the switch and let JJ take over. People forget how close JJ was to Darnold in training camp last year. The lost reps sucks, but if he can keep making big strides, we will be fine with him
Are Jefferson, Addison, hock, Jones out of the backfield, and others going to be happy splitting 200 yards a game passing line Nix had? Also, is JJ the rushing threat that Nix is, especially after injury?
Get that number closer to 250 a game, and you've matched Darnold this season. KOC offense will certainly provide plenty of pass attempts and opportunities, Darnold has thrown the ball ~550 times this season.
Do you think Darnold would take an extension but at a price way under the top guys? Say he tells MN that he will come back, just don't pay him the league minimum, and use the extra money for other players. That would provide Darnold and the franchise stability without breaking the bank. I know guys should try and get as much as they can, but sometimes the best you can get is what you currently have. I guess I am talkin' out my a$$ a bit.
The Tom Brady deal. He could, but this is probably the only time in his career to get paid like a top 10 qb. Hard to pass up generation changing money. Tom Brady had Gisele making more than he did, so it didn't matter.
What made anyone think Darnold was the answer prior to this season? Someone is going to drastically overpay for Darnold, I don't want it to be the Vikings.
If that's the case, then MIN can put another cheap, short-term deal on him due to lack of demand. That's fine. It just has to make money sense in the big picture.
I can see tagging him for one more season since JJM missed this one, and that's also not a long-term cap killer. Also fine.
I'd be fine with the tag. Gives you another year to evaluate McCarthy since this year is basically a waste. Also get to see if Darnold was just a one hit wonder, or if he can be this good long term.
I would add the Rams to this list, and it may be the best fit for him. It's a very similar system, he would have some quality (one great) WR talent. The question mark really is how long will the rams roll with Stafford. He's getting to the age where a team can expect diminishing productivity each year
If you are Darnold, do you agree to being franchise tagged or hold out? Dude is 26 and in his prime to seal up a 3-4 year deal. What happens if McCarthy beats him out in camp? Go make your money.
I'd probably hold out. Someone will pay him. At least 1/3 of the league is desperate to overpay for a QB every off season.
Cousins had 5 healthy seasons in Minnesota. His yardage, TDs, Ints, and rating are all almost identical to Darnold's this year. In fact, it's amazing how close they are.
He can certainly do that, and that's what the market bears. And he also will be almost certainly be leaving arguably the best situation for a QB in the NFL.
