Evaluating Minnesota Vikings schedule

Evaluating Minnesota Vikings schedule who have one of the toughtes schedules in the NFL; When will JJ McCarthy make his first NFL start; Did the Vikings deserve more primetime love; Picking Vikings schedule and more on Purple Daily.
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[@joshuabunkers1494]

I am all in on Darnold this season. I was also a big proponent for McCarthy in the draft, but no hurry to see him.

[@ricklong3260]

Exactly.... thank you

[@kameronerdman5870]

I am too, after watching darnolds highlight tape its hard not to get excited to see what he can do with a real offense around him

[@charlieohagan6750]

Would love to see Sam do a Jim Plunkett. He has all the tools but must solve the interception problem. He hasn’t been surrounded by this level of talent ever before. It’s Sam’s job, let’s see if he can revive his career. I have no problem with JJ being a backup for a couple of years if this happens. JJ is in the best possible position.

[@kameronerdman5870]

@@charlieohagan6750 JJ will be a backup for 1 year max, darnold is on a 1 year contract and they’re not going to want to burn more than one year of McCarthys rookie contract. If Sam ends up doing well he’s going to be too expensive for it to make sense for us to keep him around

[@charlieohagan6750]

Jim Plunkett won a Super Bowl! Lol but you’re right if Sam balls out turn it over to JJ regardless!

[@devoproulx6110]

Hanging onto that first round pick in 2025 is looking brilliant!

[@purplepainforums]

Except they'll screw it up if they go 9-8. Go 5-12 and end up with one more top 10 pick before they start a run in 2025.

[@albertdraves7584]

​@@purplepainforumsAnd the picks in rounds 2 ,3, and 4 that they now don't have will all be near the beginning of the rounds Not an ideal situation for either building the roster for the future or adding depth to a team that is already severely lacking in that department. Vikings need a lot of luck, Kwesi is hoarding the four leaf clover and horseshoe market.

[@easalsoeas4565]

I see the Vikings going 3-14 in the 2024 season, so at least we should be able to get a great QB in the next draft. SKOL

[@safeTbob71]

I love all the noon games tbh.

[@rogerbeck9356]

I agree 100%.

[@gogophers14]

Agree

[@ricklong3260]

Florez is already game planning for these top quarterbacks...he will bring the Heat!!!!

[@0175gre]

Greenard will play 10 games or less this year. Turner will need a year to develop

[@jonkarg2528]

A lock for Week 1? You all thought that last season with Tampa! 😂😂

[@SuperMex99]

I have a feeling Sam is going to ball out this season. He’s literally in the best situation in his career.

[@westb1028]

Would be nice!

[@chriskrolak7958]

I have a feeling also but it's not a strong feeling. I think he's probably in the best situation he's been in since he's been in the NFL.

[@intrepidfool]

I would celebrate this if it happened. Would also be floored. QB makes the coaches, not the other way around. This system could help the marginal Darnold become adequate by hiding his flaws. But he isn’t becoming Mahomes. Most of the people that fail just aren’t good enough. The recent trend of media and fans turning failed QBs into victims is an interesting one. Maybe the coaches and the GM were the victims? If Darnold had been good, they would still have jobs. In either case, we have enough tape to see what Darnold is. If the Lions, Packers, or Bears fans were hyping up Darnold as their starting QB, you’d be laughing at them.

[@StillKeepOnLosing]

Best situation? His deep accuracy is trash and KOC only goes deep. RIP. Pick 6 City

[@dw2367]

@@chriskrolak7958 I think he'll be solid, even competitive. Maybe KOC can get him to a level to see if there is some IT factor - no one's seen it yet.

[@eeyore381]

schedule looks a lot tougher than I expected to start.

[@Bernbaby-ok8cs]

Brutal schedule

[@intrepidfool]

NFL doing KOC a solid by letting him get away from Darnold early after a 1-4 start and early bye week. Prevent him from another Mattison-Chandler fiasco where the better player rides the bench as the team struggles.

[@StillKeepOnLosing]

Cuz your team isnt good...

[@arvieweathers294]

​@@StillKeepOnLosingyour right Baby girl my Vikings didn't win the superbowl last yr we suck like rest of 31 teams that didn't win the game that matters the most a superbowl. So i guess your right we suck Baby girl

[@kameronerdman5870]

guys, I know nobody wants to hear this right now, but it wouldn't be the worst thing in the world for the vikes to have a 4-13 or 5-12 type of season and end up with a top 10 pick. They would trade back multiple times and restock their draft capital in addition to the 3rd round comp pick they're expected to get. Add that draft capital to the ridiculous amount of cap space we have and the 2025 roster would be absolutely loaded for McCarthy

[@sjoukenauta1278]

I'm thrilled by the number of noon-games. This means I can see them at 19.00 pm over here in The Netherlands. Late night games end mostly in 5min reviews the next morning for me, so great!

[@karlk1004]

They are playing a lot of young qbs. This schedule is a mixed bag. Not sure what to expect... kinda fun

[@AhJeezEnt]

7-10/8-9. Next years the real start

[@logangreen3258]

I’m looking really hard and I can’t find any losses.

[@rogerdawson3675]

Week 18 because they're resting the starters while having a bye in the first round...... Pfftt

[@devoproulx6110]

Three road games in a row followed by three home games = wacky

[@coreycarter1419]

This is one of the first care free seasons I think I've been apart of only because I "think" we have a strong future

[@dw2367]

I agree with you, Corey - I can't recall a year in the last 50 I have felt less stress at the start of the year.

[@dw2367]

I love Phil's predictions of how he views the media and the league will view the Vikings. Quit it, brother....we are Vikings 😊😊 It's a division split, and a 7-10 kind of year, let's deal with it, and enjoy the progression of this rebuilding team. The consistency of schedule of mid-day games will do us a favor this year, just watch.

[@rogerbeck9356]

I agree!

[@moetown_2088]

Yup

[@bardsimpson1404]

Everytime I post about "sorry no SB this year", I get railed by the homers'😆 All I heard last yr was "rebuild" and the cousins haters think this is a super bowl yr now? Ugh.

[@brianw3656]

Nobody on the interior OL and DL. That is going to bury us.

[@geemac7267]

That's what I was thinking. They're concentrating on the QBs we'll be facing. I'm more worried about the RBs we'll be facing.

[@garrettaustad4419]

Noon games are perfect

[@colehartson5171]

I do think it’s a challenging schedule but nowhere near as rough as the start of last year’s- going against the Eagle, Chiefs, 49ers, Chargers with Herbert etc.

[@Selling-McCarthyism]

Could be 1-4 or 4-1 headed into the bye. So many of the teams early in our schedule are wildcarda

[@HarambetheWhite]

I mean, even if this year is a below expectations year. We still have our first round pick in the 2025 draft, so if we do awful, then hey, we get closer to the top picks.

[@brianshorrorcorner9890]

6-11, 1-5 in Division

[@Krawllll]

I am not losing any sleep over the lack of "Prime Time" games. "Prime Time" does not help us win a Super Bowl.

[@purplepainforums]

Actually I lose sleep over the lack of prime time games. It means I gotta be up at noon on Sunday more often xD.

[@richborn6700]

@@purplepainforums smh sort your life out

[@user-pz8cg2bn2y]

The key to the schedule will be the defense, no matter who our quarterback will be.

[@903i9]

7 - 10. 1-5 in division. Split with the Bears.

[@intrepidfool]

I went 8-9 in my prediction with McCarthy taking over week six after a 1-4 start and going 7-5 the rest of the way. This would give the team hope heading into 2025.

[@chadharris7988]

1-5 in the division? Highly unlikely but possible I guess.

[@kanesword9528]

hardest schedule is worthless info. It's based on last year and means absolutely nothing for this season lol

[@mattswanson1189]

The Vikings are going to steal a bunch of games with a top 5 defense. The question is will KOC actually run the ball?

[@farrider8470]

Our new defense us the wildcard this year. If they are as good as I think they could be. This could be an 11 win season.

[@shaqpac51]

Saved this video so I can come back to you guys hating on darnold I love it ❤

[@BrettHowe2]

I think this could be a 5-12 season and JJs first start is week 17 in Detroit as a nice Michigan warm welcome to end the season.

[@rogerdawson3675]

WTH is Judd babying JJ for? It comes down to who out does who in training camp....

[@purplepainforums]

All of them were trying to baby JJ lol. Typical Minnesota sawft. OMG when is the best time to start the delicate little flower? Look for the easiest non triggering situation. Find him a SAFE SPACE!!! If the guy is destroyed by a tough road game, then he ain't the answer.

[@intrepidfool]

Agree. Whenever McCarthy beats out the journeyman backup Darnold, then start him. Nothing about McCarthy's past suggests he cannot handle the pressure. The opposite is true. If he busts like Darnold, then he isn't good enough. Period. I'm tired of blaming the coaches for the success or failure of players. It is 95% the player and 5% the coaches and organization. Nobody was going to stop Mahomes from becoming elite. Nobody was going to make Sam "sees ghosts" Darnold elite.

[@drewengel7073]

Multiple examples show that rookie QBs should not start immediately as it will often ruin their future. You should only put a rookie QB in if the starter gets injured, ala Justin Herbert, or if the QB is ready to play, ala Lamar Jackson.

[@intrepidfool]

@@drewengel7073 How do you know this? Do you have access to an alternate universe where you could see outcomes for the player where they became starts after sitting a year and busted if they started early? Some QBs bust. Some become elite. Some of the busts started early. Some sat. Some elite QBs started early. Some sat. There is no formula for predicting success. You cannot force these QBs to be good or not. They either will or won't be. It is up to the player. Coaches and organizations can influence it a little bit positively or negatively (and have a greater impact on the careers of bottom of the roster guys) but ultimately, it is up to the first round QB what caliber of QB they become.

[@robertkawka7553]

Wow, for what you call a good team, you sure a quick to dig their grave. Either we can compete with any schedule or we cannot. Personally, I see them competing with each team they play. Also, please remember that Love played well for half a season, its a little early to crown him as the next Rogers

[@bwats9976]

Vikes 3-0 in London games

[@JaxonSmithers]

Vikes seem to always end up with a brutal schedule. Might be a few games below .500 by October.

[@bartwieden]

Agreed. Seems very tough for a team that didn't make the playoffs.

[@purplepainforums]

All the opponents were known by the time the season ended lol. The schedule only tells you what order they'll be in. 14 of the opponents and locations were known years ago because it's based on a rotation. Only 3 of the opponents are determined by the standings each year. For example, we already know who 14 of our opponents will be in 2043, at Cowboys, at Giants, at Chiefs, at Chargers, and home vs Eagles, Commies, Broncos, and Raiders.

[@monkus7493]

I hate to say it but I wouldn't be surprised if we are towards the bottom of the league this year.. BUT it will ease up the 2025 season

[@chrisbraithwaite7533]

Totally agree. 3-5 wins. Vikings are a finesse team with a question mark at QB. I’m not ready to crown KOC as a QB guru. A guru is someone that greatly exceeds expectations when developing players with raw talent. Show where in is coaching history he has done that. I do think there is a QB guru in the NFC North and unfortunately it is Matt LaFleur.

[@intrepidfool]

@@chrisbraithwaite7533 I also struggle with the premature QB guru label. Of course, I don't really believe in a QB guru as a thing. KOC puts the QB in a good position to succeed with his scheme and with his personality. However, the outcome is *always* up to the player. Cousins still checked down in big spots to lose games (and end the season). Dobbs was still hot and cold leading to inexplicable wins and losses. Mullens still went YOLO and turned the ball over consistently. Guys are who they are. Darnold is still going to be a turnover machine that crumbles under pressure and sees ghosts. Sure, KOC might be able to work around his flaws and help him become a marginal starter. But the journeyman backup isn't becoming a great QB just because KOC is his HC and defacto OC. Way too much purple kool aid lately. Fan reaction to signing Darnold was a whole lot of: "Meh. Whatever. Hope we get a good rookie." Now suddenly, commenters predicting Darnold will have a breakout season and even that the Vikings will be able to sign and trade him for a day two pick next year. It is incredible. I'll say it again. If the Lions, Packers, or Bears were planning to have Sam Darnold start for them the entire 2024 season, all of us would be laughing our asses off. A whole lot of copium and hopium being passed around in this fanbase right now.

[@gerhardcilliers1909]

I love Declans picks.

[@edwardjoseoh]

This schedule sets us up nice to play Sam for the bulk of the season, then put JJ in once mathematically eliminated from the playoffs. JJ could play the last 3ish games.

[@nano.joe.4851]

JJ is starting week 1 🔥🐕🏆

[@intrepidfool]

This is the best choice considering Darnold is a fringe NFL QB and McCarthy’s history and profile suggest a guy that will be just fine taking his lumps early. Evidence of KOC past, suggests he will stubbornly roll with the veteran no matter how much McCarthy outplays him in training camp and preseason. My money is that KOC is finally pressured by mounting fan discontent and ownership into starting McCarthy after the bye week and a 1-4 start.

[@TheSaint_02]

I love how the NFL gave the Jets 6 prime time games last year with Rodgers and he got hurt and now gave them 11 this year. I so hope he goes down in week 1 again.

[@anthonyslazas6413]

I wouldn't go counting JJ in until he signs a new contract !

[@chadharris7988]

At most he’s going to hold in, he’s not going to sit out regular season games and take all those fines.

[@anthonyslazas6413]

@@chadharris7988 no guarantee he plays week 1 without new deal

[@shadowwolf9909]

​@@anthonyslazas6413he is not throwing away millions of dollars. Only idiots do that. JJ isn't an idiot.

[@anthonyslazas6413]

@@shadowwolf9909 buy a clue

[@Sue_V]

Guess it all depends on how Darnold looks and how quick JJ develops, but my hope is that he's playing by the time we play Atlanta. JJ vs. Kirk could be quite intriguing.. lol

[@jeffreyseverson135]

I'm optimistic about this season. I could see us winning 7-8 games because of our coaching and I'm hoping to see J.J McCarthy start a handful of games. It will be interesting to watch regardless of record.

[@brandonpagan9109]

Actually have them at 11-6.....surprisingly but yeah

[@jeffreyseverson135]

😂

[@ricklong3260]

We always get screwed on the schedule.... nothing new..😮

[@michaelschuldheisz3369]

I don't think Kirk has an empty spot on his mantle waiting for a Lombardi trophy. What he has instead are framed copies of all his contracts with the Vikings and the latest with Atlanta.

[@Silverfox501]

9-8 is reasonable IMO, with 10 wins being the ceiling. Either way it goes, just want to see the team trending upwards at the end. The floor would be 4-5 wins, and could be indicative of the team having some concerns going forward.

[@theorizer8899]

Looking at the Vikings schedule I would say the Vikings will be 7-10 this year. Depending on the Preseason games this could change 1 to 2 games either way. No better than 9-8.

[@troybalster3687]

Going 7 and 10 here.

[@toofrank2222]

Maybe i have the Andy Reid-Mahomes approach in my head, which is dangerous to put in the same category, but I am completely cool with McCarthy sitting the whole year. Considering his age and how chaotic the pre-draft process is, especially since he played in the Natty. So him sitting and learning for a year with a full off-season next year prior to taking over as QB1 is totally ok in my book if they end up keeping #9 on the sidelines this year. Of course if KO and the staff think he's ready, then LFG!

[@intrepidfool]

Darnold is not Alex Smith. Smith was a competent veteran starting QB on the back end of his career. It was a good situation to mentor Mahomes in. Darnold is a 26 year old journeyman backup on his 4th team that sees ghosts. He is in the same tier of QB as Dobbs and Mullens. Do you really think there will be any benefit in McCarthy watching Darnold? Maybe to learn how not to be a starting QB in the NFL. If Kirk Cousins, Sam Bradford, or someone similar was the starter, then McCarthy and the Vikings benefit from a redshirt year. But McCarthy, unless also a bust like Darnold, will almost certainly be the better QB by the time the season starts.

[@ridemotoeveryday2524]

@@intrepidfoolIt’s not about McCarthy watching/learning from Darnold it’s about JJ learning the system and from KOC and not rushing him in until he is ready. JJ hasn’t proved anything yet so as of now he’s QB 3 on the team, until he’s the backup him starting shouldn’t even be considered.

[@intrepidfool]

@@ridemotoeveryday2524 Darnold has been with the team a few weeks longer than JJ. He doesn't know KOC's offense any better than McCarthy. There is a hell of a lot of hopium / copium with regards to Sam Darnold. He is a first round bust that is an unlikely redemption project. At best, he becomes an adequate starter. More likely, he continues to be the QB that he has proven to be: a journeyman backup / spot starter that struggles under pressure and turns the ball over. If the Lions, Packers, or Bears were planning to start Sam Darnold for the 2024 season, you'd be laughing your ass off. If McCarthy cannot beat out Darnold, the Vikings have bigger problems than who starts in 2024.

[@ridemotoeveryday2524]

@@intrepidfool like I said if JJ beats him out and Darnold is struggling roll with JJ. But if JJ needs time to better develop and Darnold is struggling there is no need to rush JJ in. He’s young enough to sit for a year to get better. All we can do is speculate, it’s up to what KOC feels is the best and at what time. I’ll pass on placing judgement on either one till we actually get real game evaluation of things. Best case scenario is obviously JJ kills it this offseason, starts , they go undefeated and win a superbowl which I believe nobody will complain about.

[@anthonyleydens]

11 and 6. Beat packers and bears twice split w lions

[@user-xo2ve5eb8m]

They will need to get a wide receiver early in next years draft because Jefferson may not be here by the trade deadline .

[@Zoroark278]

12-5 they win the division im done being skeptical im gonna be completely delusional

[@tsn6899]

It’s time to tank!! Get #1 overall pick in next year draft!!

[@terrancekrolak4759]

And draft another qb with number one pick lol ugh

[@fourstring79]

And this is why Thor was so adamant about keeping the 2025 1st round pick.

[@jeffbrown4292]

Hoping for 4 to 6 wins and a top 3 pick. Then the sky is the limit

[@tomyjohnson5889]

for me , emotionally it's day 1 of training camp, but logically agreed on against the colts

[@anthonyd4309]

Listener prediction about week 1 @ NYG better be considered a TD.

[@intrepidfool]

I was thinking the same thing. Nailed the team and whether it was home or away.

[@drewengel7073]

disagree as the schedule had already been leaked for the Giants by the time "Write That Down" was recorded.

[@intrepidfool]

@@drewengel7073 If that is proven, then yeah, cannot give a TD. Would still give the benefit of the doubt on the completion. Of course, do we know when the Write That Down was recorded? They are pre-recorded right? So, could have been a day or two prior. Will be interesting to see what the panel decides.

[@drewengel7073]

@@intrepidfool Since the schedule for the Giants got leaked around 8 am on Wenesday, I think we can chalk this up to cheating. We also knew that the Giants game was going to be away in either January or Febuary.

[@ugenedatdude]

Whoever beats the other person in camp should be the starter if it’s JJ he should be out there for Week 1 it’s no reason to baby him because he’s gonna have to deal with tough schedules regardless. There are other QBs who were thrown into the fire and you got to see what they were made of like CJ and Ant (even though he got hurt he was playing good ) so if JJ beat Sam for QB1 He should play week 1 let’s see what he’s made of!

[@rjwashington3252]

It’s so good to see everybody panic about starting Jj McCarthy I’m actually loving it 😂

[@intrepidfool]

Yeah. This set of fans on PD are fully living in their fear. They would rather a proven bust in Darnold that cannot handle pressure, sees ghosts, turns the ball over, and loses games start than risk finding out whether McCarthy is HIM or not. News flash: starting McCarthy as soon as he understands the offensive scheme and playbook or waiting until next year won't make a difference in whether he is a stud or not. He either is the guy or he isn't. I'd rather find out now than delay it for a year for no reason. Watching Darnold all season would be painful. At least with the kid, there will be hope and it will be fun seeing if he can overcome his lumps and continue to progress. His history says he can but who knows? Let's find out. SKOL

[@DavidLopez-fg1gl]

I’m gonna say Kirk and the Falcons win that game. It fits so well into the Kirk storyline. Kirk beating his old team will cause people to hop on his bandwagon even more and make people say that the Vikings should’ve never let him go. It’s perfect for the polarizing Kirk narrative. It continues the endless cycle and discussion about Kirk.

[@jeffaltier5582]

6-11 unless one of the QB's lights things up.

[@sizzlemann]

I think you're underestimating the Flores effect. He's got more of his guys. The D will be better. They will beat the 49er's as Purdy was flustered all game and Darnold as seen their D and I'm sure he'll be ready for them. Also, Love and the Packers got good when Aaron Jones came back into the lineup. Guess who's not there anymore? Vikings go 10-7 and make the playoffs with Darnold as the QB. If KOC can get wins out of Dobbs with no prep, imagine what he can do with a full offseason with Darnold (who is a better QB).

[@0175gre]

I think fans need to get ready for a bad year, definitely picking top 5 in next years draft. Which might be ok in the long run, but it's going to be rough for a year or 2

[@johlwallace8294]

Cris Collinsworth is all I hear when dex talks now...

[@dw2367]

Yeah, I can't tell if he's playing it up, actually, or subliminally 🤣🤣

[@intrepidfool]

Pretty realistic predictions for a season where the Vikings will start some combination of a rookie and a journeyman backup at QB. I think that a likely scenario is that they go 1-4 with Darnold and then JJ takes over after the bye. They go 7-5 the rest of the way and JJ looks strong down the stretch. 8-9 in 2024 with some optimism heading into 2025. Although my preference is that KOC starts McCarthy week one, which allows the Vikings to win a couple of more games and compete for a playoff spot at 10-7.

[@moetown_2088]

6-11

[@0175gre]

3 and 14

[@Gunkus]

Hammering the under in total wins this season. 0 interior line help on both sides of the ball. I expect teams to run the trenches against us. We go 4-13

[@ricklong3260]

I would like to see Darnold show his value ...so we can trade him for draft Capital..🎉

[@charlesrichard831]

I'm all for whichever QB gives the Vikings the best chance to win games right now if that's Sam Darnold (which I personally believe he is) but just like with Cousins this team has a lot of issues to address namely O Line, the running game and the interior D Line a QB alone will not solve all these problems building a roster around a young QB on a rookie deal will take a little time and money both will come in 25'

[@purplepainforums]

We shouldn't be trying to win games in 2024. It's better to go 5-12 than 8-9 or 9-8. We can load up one more time in 2025 with a high draft pick and when we'll have a ton of cap space. That's when they should try to make a run. Trying to eek out every win in 2024 will only screw up the long term plan.

[@charlesrichard831]

@@purplepainforums you try and win every single game you can and you put the best available players on the field in order to accomplish that

[@user-xo2ve5eb8m]

Darnold can beat out Mccarthy with the weapons on this team. He was the number 3 pick for a reason. He just had subpar talent around him on subpar teams.

[@thenige9146]

I think this is game on potentially this year. I think fringe playoff team

[@monkus7493]

If we changed to JJ on week 9 IF we did it.. but I want him to have a full redshirt season

[@intrepidfool]

Why? What's the point of sitting him a year? How about we let the best QB, the one who gives the Vikings the best opportunity to win games, start?

[@ridemotoeveryday2524]

@@intrepidfooland that QB as of now and potentially all season would be Darnold. If JJ kills it in camp and preseason and has the playbook locked in and Darnold is struggling yes put JJ in.

[@intrepidfool]

@@ridemotoeveryday2524 Why do you think that a jouneyman backup that cannot handle pressure and sees ghosts is better than McCarthy? That is a really low bar to clear. Darnold is a turnover machine that cannot reliably win games. If McCarthy cannot beat him out, Vikings have bigger problems. If McCarthy cannot win the job, either because Darnold completely changes who he is as a QB or because he is just as much of a bust as Darnold, then fine, he sits. But the people saying he has to sit? For no reason? It is just an odd thought process. If McCarthy is the best QB and wins the job, play him. This is the NFL. You don't coddle guys. McCarthy is a proven winner that excels under pressure. Fire tempers steel.

[@intrepidfool]

@@ridemotoeveryday2524 I'll add that you do realize that Darnold has been a terrible starting QB in the NFL, right? There is a reason that he is a journeyman backup on his 4th team. This isn't a situation where the Vikings have an established veteran QB on a winning team. Darnold has a few weeks head start on JJ with the playbook. McCarthy is a competitive guy with a singular drive to succeed and I would not be surprised if he comes into camp with as much or more knowledge of the offense than Darnold. It is more of a level playing field than many are portraying. They are both new to the team. One is a proven winner that excels under pressure. The other has shown the opposite. If KOC doesn't have his finger on the scales (like with Mattison-Chandler), I think it is McCarthy's job to lose.

[@ridemotoeveryday2524]

@@intrepidfool all I’m saying is we haven’t seen McCarthy, I hope he ends up being a great QB. But it’s moot talking about him taking over the starting job till we get more time. Darnold still can’t improve and hasn’t had a fair shot with a coach so we’ll see, but condemning him and crowning JJ is premature.

[@danhenneman7808]

JJ McCarthy starts week 1 vs the Giants and proves to them that they should have drafted him

[@gaetanoschristmaschannel]

The vikings have a favorable schedule as far has not having to play any teams coming of bye weeks or a thursday night game. The also play Niners, at packers and at lions with all those teams coming of Monday night games.

[@mattswanson1189]

Can we get some “In Flores we trust” merch?

[@ridemotoeveryday2524]

Without seeing what we have at QB, Darnold is in a new situation and have a rookie QB at this time I say 2 to 5 wins total. Gotta realistically wait till after preseason to make any type of educated guess.

[@Digits-nf9fo]

First December home game JJ may start...

[@Paul-viking]

Judd got it right at 7-10. Still too many question marks for IOL, DL and CB.

[@fwippel1705]

It's way too early to get overly excited or discouraged about the schedule at this time. We really don't have a clear picture of how this team is going to gel or perform in '24. There will be teams which are expected to be playoff contenders who will flop, and others expected to flop who will excel. The Viking defense looks like it will be better this year, which leaves the QB as the biggest question.

[@intrepidfool]

100%. But it is fun.

[@bradleygermain6288]

Weren't you guys saying McCarthy was the most ready QB to start for a team his rookie season before the draft? He's really THAT bad you guys are already changing your tune? Interesting...

[@karlk1004]

Why are you babying him to start on a home game? If you have to hide him he isn't ready. If he checks all the boxes then put him in. If you wait til week 9/13 then Darnold is doing well or McCarthy isn't doing so hot.

[@kingofallmediums2123]

Declan and Tyler Zed are the same guy! 😲 😲 😲 😲 😲 😂😂😂😂😂

[@TomJarmusz-bb5yy]

7-10

[@intrepidfool]

Week one and week six both make sense for McCarthy’s debut, unless KOC doesn’t want to compete this year.

[@jimmyjam1215]

If JJ can’t win the job against Sam Darnold in camp we’re in trouble

[@kft590]

I think that an 8-9 is likely I don't see the Vikings sweeping any of their division rivals and expect that they could get swept by one of them maybe they can get to 9-8 but playing in one of the most competitive divisions in the NFL with some of the holes that they have on offense and defense they are bound to have a few bad games.

[@safeTbob71]

I think the strength of schedule depends on how good the division actually is.

[@michaelstusiak5902]

If you are going to have a tough schedule, this is the year.

[@scottberg1828]

I have a hard time getting past the impression that the Vikings are paying lip service to the running game and O-line with a rookie QB & a QB that has struggled in his career. Feels like a huge off season whiff, 7-10 at best.

[@intrepidfool]

Look. I generally love the optimism and the purple shades. But this is a touch too far with the Darnold and McCarthy consternation. Why do you guys think you need to protect McCarthy? Nothing in his profile or history suggests he is fragile. In fact, it is the opposite. He played 11 games in Harbaugh's pro offense as a true freshman at Michigan. He took over the starting job week two of his true sophomore year. The guy isn't going to wilt when he makes mistakes and suffers some losses. Competitor and winner that has put in the hard work, and produced championships, at every step along the way. Yes. Sitting a year isn't a bad thing. But Darnold is not Rodgers or Smith or a competent NFL starter. This isn't that situation. Darnold is a journeyman backup in the same tier of QBs as Dobbs and Mullens. He has the physical traits but lacks the mental and emotional makeup to be a good NFL QB. He sees ghosts. If the Packers, Bears, or Lions were planning to start Darnold for most or all of the 2024 season, you'd be trolling the crap out of them. Maybe McCarthy isn't him and struggles just as much as Darnold has. Who knows? But the betting odds right now are that McCarthy is simply better than Darnold and wins the job in training camp if given a fair opportunity by KOC. I don't necessarily trust KOC to start the best player after the Mattison-Chandler debacle last year, but we will see. In any case, I'm not sure why this panel feels the need to coddle McCarthy. The only top QB prospect that almost certainly needs a redshirt year is Maye. The rest should all get on the field as soon as they are ready.

[@GreyMarano]

If Sam starts and struggles, looses 5 games, there is NO way we do t see JJ! I still say we will see him earlier. Sam is what we think he is!

[@SoCalNative75]

5-12

[@mattswanson1189]

I’m with Dex… watch Houston stumble out of the gate.

[@cesarmeza5331]

Wishful thinking at 8-9/9-8, probably 6-11/7-10 more realistic

[@shawneg4412]

Week 1 - either 2024 or 2025.

[@TheBlkhwkcrew]

Arizona Cardinals game for JJ to start.

[@charlesrichard831]

Prime-time games...NO the Vikings don't have a QB the Jets have Vice President Aaron Rodgers, Cowboys have Dak, and the 49ers have Mr. Irrelevant coming off a Super Bowl the Vikings has A LOT to prove. They are lucky to have 2 So go get it done SKOL!!!

[@purplepainforums]

If Stroud gets injured we could have a Keenum to Diggs reunion week 3. Unless they ruin it by starting Davis Mills.

[@boogie5834]

Darnold is only 26 remember that

[@sladehunt1]

Will the vikings get a win this season by more than 1 score? (I don't think it's possible even if we have a team to compete for the Superbowl)

[@Vikingswwsss]

7:43 😂