What If? A Look at the Vikings’ Quarterback Decisions and the Road Not Taken
As the Minnesota Vikings navigate the final stretch of the 2025 season, their Week 13 loss to the Seattle Seahawks served as a not-so-subtle reminder of the quarterback carousel that could’ve spun very differently. It’s hard not to look back and wonder: What if Minnesota had stuck with Sam Darnold instead of handing the keys to rookie J.J. McCarthy?
Let’s rewind. Back in free agency, Darnold signed a one-year, $10 million deal - a move that looked like a classic placeholder setup.
He was supposed to keep the seat warm until McCarthy, the team’s top-10 draft pick, was ready to take over. But then came the curveball: McCarthy suffered a torn meniscus during training camp, ending his season before it even began.
Suddenly, Darnold wasn’t just a bridge - he was the guy.
And he delivered. Darnold led the Vikings to a 14-3 record, putting together the best season of his career.
We're talking career highs across the board: 66.2% completion rate, 4,319 passing yards, 35 touchdowns, and a 102.5 passer rating. That’s not just serviceable - that’s Pro Bowl-level production.
Fast forward to Sunday, and Darnold, now with the Seahawks, came back to face his former team and didn’t miss a beat. He’s kept his strong form going in Seattle, completing 68.2% of his passes for 2,913 yards, 19 touchdowns, and 10 picks through 12 games. His 103.1 passer rating has the Seahawks sitting at 9-3 and very much in the playoff mix.
Meanwhile, things haven’t gone nearly as smoothly for McCarthy. After returning from the preseason injury, he’s been hit with another setback - a concussion suffered in Week 12 against the Packers that kept him out of the Seattle game.
When he has played, the results have been rough. He’s started six games, gone 2-4, and completed just 54.1% of his passes for 929 yards.
His touchdown-to-interception ratio sits at 6-to-10, and his 57.9 passer rating is the lowest among all NFL quarterbacks this season - and not by a small margin. The next lowest?
Rookie Cam Ward at 75.7.
So yeah, it’s fair to ask: What if Minnesota had just kept Darnold?
But Darnold isn’t the only quarterback who might’ve been wearing purple this year. In fact, several starting QBs across the AFC - some leading division contenders - were either on Minnesota’s radar or had direct ties to the organization. Let’s take a look at the alternate-universe quarterback room that could’ve shaped the Vikings’ season.
Daniel Jones - Indianapolis Colts
Let’s start with the one who actually wore the jersey. Daniel Jones was in Minnesota last season after being released by the Giants.
When the Vikings chose not to re-sign Darnold, they reportedly made a strong push to keep Jones around. But Jones had other plans.
Despite an offer from Minnesota that included more guaranteed money, Jones chose to sign a one-year, $14 million deal with the Indianapolis Colts. Word is, the Vikings pulled their offer once it became clear Jones wasn’t eager to return.
That decision looks pretty savvy on Jones’ part. He beat out Anthony Richardson for the starting job and has the Colts sitting at 8-4, second in the AFC South.
Stat-wise, he’s been efficient and productive: 67.9% completion rate, 3,041 yards, 19 touchdowns, 7 interceptions, and a 101.3 passer rating. He’s playing smart, confident football - the kind Minnesota could’ve used.
Drake Maye - New England Patriots
Before settling on McCarthy at No. 10 in the draft, the Vikings were reportedly very interested in Drake Maye. Minnesota even tried to trade up to No. 3 to land him, but the Patriots held firm and took Maye themselves.
And now? Maye is not just thriving - he’s entering the MVP conversation.
He’s been lights-out this season, leading the NFL in completion percentage (71.0%) and ranking third in passing yards (3,130), fifth in touchdown passes (21), and second in passer rating (110.7). The Patriots are 10-2 and leading the AFC East heading into Monday night’s matchup with the Giants.
He’s the kind of rookie QB who doesn’t just survive - he elevates the team. It’s the kind of pick that can change a franchise’s trajectory.
Minnesota tried to make it happen. They just couldn’t get there.
Bo Nix - Denver Broncos
Two picks after the Vikings selected McCarthy, the Broncos grabbed Bo Nix at No. 12. It was a bit of a surprise at the time, but Denver’s gamble is paying off.
Nix hasn’t put up Maye-level numbers, but he’s been steady and effective - exactly what the Broncos needed. He’s completed 61.6% of his passes for 2,742 yards, 19 touchdowns, and 9 interceptions. More importantly, he’s led Denver to a 10-2 record and has them in the driver’s seat for their first AFC West title in a decade.
He may not be flashy, but he’s winning. And that’s what matters.
Aaron Rodgers - Pittsburgh Steelers
And then there’s the wildest “what if” of them all: Aaron Rodgers.
After his stint with the Jets ended, Rodgers reportedly made a serious push to join the Vikings - even offering to mentor McCarthy while taking one more shot at a Super Bowl. Minnesota considered it, but ultimately passed. Rodgers signed a one-year deal with the Steelers instead.
He’s not the MVP-caliber Rodgers of old, and Sunday’s loss to the Bills was a reminder of that. But overall, he’s been solid: 65.2% completion rate, 2,086 yards, 19 touchdowns, 7 interceptions, and a 95.4 passer rating. Pittsburgh is right in the thick of the AFC North race, and Rodgers is a big reason why.
The Bottom Line
The Vikings made their choice. They went all-in on youth, upside, and the long-term vision with J.J.
McCarthy. That kind of bet takes courage - and patience.
But in the short term, it’s clear there were other paths that could’ve led to more immediate success.
Whether it was sticking with Darnold, re-signing Daniel Jones, or pushing harder for a draft-day move, Minnesota had options. And now, as they sit outside the playoff picture with a rookie QB struggling to stay on the field - and struggling even more when he is - those options look more enticing than ever.
Hindsight is undefeated, of course. But in a league where quarterback play defines everything, it’s fair to wonder just how different things could’ve looked in Minnesota this year.