Daunte Culpepper sends message about Vikings QB JJ McCarthy

The Minnesota Vikings have seen 20 quarterbacks start a game since October 30, 2005. That’s when former franchise quarterback Daunte Culpepper took his last snap for the organization. Only three of those quarterbacks were drafted by the Vikings.

They drafted nine quarterbacks during that span, including rookie JJ McCarthy.

In town for the Vikings Foundation golf tournament, Culpepper had good things to say about the franchise’s next QB prospect.

“He’s a baseball player. He’s definitely a baseball player. I had the chance to meet the rookies (June 13). I met JJ McCarthy, “Culpepper told KTSP’s Alec Ausmus on June 14. “He’s a solid, solid young man, and he’s going to be an even better quarterback, I think. He has a lot of advantages and a lot of abilities.

McCarthy is the highest drafted QB in Vikings franchise history.

Culpepper was the No. 11 pick in the 1999 draft. This was the slot the Vikings sat in before trading with the New York Jets to select McCarthy. The Vikings used two other first-round picks on QBs between the three-time Pro Bowler, Culpepper and the rookie.

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JJ McCarthy ends first-round drought for Vikings QBs

McCarthy is the first QB drafted by the Vikings in the first round in a decade. They selected Christian Ponder with the No. 12 pick in 20011, then Teddy Bridgewater at No. 32 in 2014.

Ponder went 14-21-1 in four seasons with the Vikings and was cut from the league in 2017.

Similar to Culpepper before him, a devastating knee injury ended Bridgewater’s tenure with the Vikings. Bridgewater also joined two of the same organizations as Culpepper after his days with the Vikings, suiting up for the Detroit Lions and Miami Dolphins before retiring this offseason.

The arrival of Kirk Cousins ​​in free agency in 2018 explains the seven-year drought for such investment in the position by the organization.

The Vikings’ plans to draft a QB also played a role in Cousins’ departure this offseason.

“(Cousins) decided to leave Minnesota…because the Vikings were very upfront with the 35-year-old about the possibility that, even if he stayed, they would take a future quarterback high in the draft,” Albert Sports Illustrated’s Breer wrote on May 6. “Pairing that with the team’s desire to guarantee some, but not all, of a second year on another contract, Cousins ​​figured if he stayed there would be a good chance let him have a good chance. be on the move in 2025.

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JJ McCarthy behind veteran journeyman on depth chart

McCarthy’s day will come. But not until he’s ready and maybe only if Sam Darnold doesn’t deliver on the promise that made him the No. 3 overall pick in 2018. The latter certainly has the confidence of head coach Kevin O’Connell and his familiarity with the offense.

He also performed well during the offseason program in every way.

The Vikings want to bring McCarthy in with a goal. But they are not putting the reins in the race to be a starter. The Vikings’ QB battle might not be limited to them either.

“We’re really excited for Sam,” O’Connell said on “Mad Dog Sports Radio» on June 11. “I feel very strongly about his ability to continue his development, even at this stage of his career, and what can he become playing quarterback of our offense with the type of players we have around him, everything goes GOOD. knowing that we’re going to have a competitive environment with JJ McCarthy, with Nick Mullens and Jaren Hall.

Mullens and Hall were a combined 1-4 last season. Darnold was 4-2 in his last stint as a starter.

Josh Buckhalter covers the NBA and NFL for Heavy.com. He has covered both leagues since 2016, including signings from FanSided, Last Word on Sports and Clocker Sports. He is based in Villa Park, Illinois. Follow Josh on Twitter and Instagram: @JoshGBuck Learn more about Josh Buckhalter