Things haven’t gone as planned for the Minnesota Vikings at the quarterback position since the offseason began, potentially setting the stage for significant changes within a year.
Rookie QB J.J. McCarthy is out for the season without taking a single meaningful snap, and former No. 3 pick Sam Darnold is on a one-year deal to prove he’s more than just a backup. If nothing extraordinary happens, the Vikings could enter 2025 with as many, if not more, questions at quarterback as they have now.
The uncertainty at QB, coupled with a tough schedule that features three playoff teams in the first four weeks, could lead to the Vikings bottoming out and securing a top pick in next year’s draft. Should that happen, Charley Walters of the Pioneer Press speculated that Minnesota might target a rookie quarterback for the second consecutive year.
“If the Vikings endure a disappointing season and land a top-five pick next spring, it wouldn’t be surprising if they opt for another future franchise QB,” Walters wrote on Sunday, September 1. “Georgia’s Carson Beck is projected as the top QB in next year’s draft and likely a top-five pick.”
Carson Beck Could Be an Appealing Option for the Vikings if They Struggle This Season
Beck, who joined Georgia in 2020, is entering his fifth season of college football in 2024. While older quarterbacks aren’t typically top draft picks, his maturity could give him an edge as he heads into the NFL at 23.
Beck was a backup on Georgia’s National Championship teams in 2021 and 2022 before taking the reins and leading the Bulldogs to a 60-point Orange Bowl victory over Florida State in 2023. Georgia’s only loss that season came in the final week against Alabama, costing them a spot in the College Football Playoff amid controversy.
Standing 6-foot-4 and weighing 215 pounds, Beck threw for 3,941 yards and 24 touchdowns against six interceptions last season, completing 72.4% of his passes, according to Football Reference.
J.J. McCarthy’s Knee Injury Could Derail His Vikings Career Before It Starts
While it may seem premature to speculate on the Vikings pursuing Beck next April, the reality is that even a healthy McCarthy isn’t guaranteed to be Minnesota’s franchise quarterback.
Teams often miss on first-round prospects, and circumstances can play a significant role. A season-ending injury before the year begins is a stroke of bad luck. Although McCarthy will have time to learn the NFL game and Minnesota’s offense, his absence could trigger a quarterback crisis that puts the Vikings’ front office and coaching staff under pressure next season.
If that happens, drafting a player like Beck becomes a possibility, and the Vikings might also look to sign a top free agent to address their quarterback issues more immediately.
For instance, the Dallas Cowboys and three-time Pro Bowler Dak Prescott are entering the last season of his contract without an extension. If the Vikings have a chance to pursue a proven veteran like Prescott, it would be hard not to consider it.
Moreover, Vikings Wire’s Judd Zulgad reported on July 12 that had the Atlanta Falcons not surprised the league by drafting Washington QB Michael Penix Jr. at No. 8 overall, Penix might have ended up in Minnesota instead of McCarthy. “I’ve heard rumblings that the Vikings loved Penix’s arm and preferred him over McCarthy,” Zulgad said.