The Minnesota Vikings are not taking their foot off the gas despite questions surrounding the quarterback position and J.J. McCarthy.
This is evidenced by the organization’s grand gesture to bring defensive coordinator Brian Flores back.
NFL Network’s Tom Pelissero reported on January 22 that the Vikings, who signed Flores to an extension a day prior, made a “huge” offer to Flores that he couldn’t refuse — sending a message that they do not intend on taking a step back next season.
Vikings’ Brian Flores Decision Shows Vikings Will Prioritize Winning Over JJ McCarthy Next Season
“My understanding is [The Wilfs] made a huge offer, the type that Flores as a D-coordinator was not going to be able to refuse,” Pelissero said. “He is still in the mix [for the Steelers and Ravens jobs]…we’ll see what shakes out in those head coaching searches, but right now, it looks like he will be back in Minnesota.”
“My understanding is [The Wilfs] made a huge offer, the type
While Flores is still in the running for the Pittsburgh Steelers and Baltimore Ravens head coach positions, the move to get him under contract is a sign that the Vikings do not plan to be spendthrift this offseason with a quarterback search at the top of their to-do list.
That means more competition for McCarthy, who will not enter the season as the team’s bona fide starter.
Jace Frederick of the Pioneer Press outlined this dynamic in a recent column that explains the message that retaining Flores means the Vikings cannot squander another season on the development of McCarthy.
“If Flores is back and Minnesota feels it again has the personnel to compete, then quarterback insurance — at minimum — must be acquired. You cannot punt on potential contention for a second straight season in the name of a single player’s development that might not bear fruit,” Frederick wrote. “When the time ultimately comes this spring to make a decision on the quarterback room, O’Connell and Adofo-Mensah should spend less time reflecting and more evaluating the other side of the ball.
“If they again believe they have a championship-level defense, a move must be made under center, whether that’s through free agency or trade, regardless of the assets required to upgrade,” Frederick added. “When it comes to the future of J.J. McCarthy, perhaps it’s Flores who truly holds the keys.”
JJ McCarthy Must Win the Vikings’ Starting Job Next Season
Last offseason, the Vikings anticipated they could bring Daniel Jones back as this year’s Sam Darnold.
However, Jones had other opportunities and a clearer path to playing time.
Minnesota flirted with Aaron Rodgers for several weeks after free agency but ultimately showed its McCarthy’s job by failing to land any capable veteran in free agency.
Then came the pivot to Sam Howell. The Vikings jumped back 30 spots in Day 3 of the draft in a pick-swap to acquire Howell in a trade with the Seattle Seahawks.
Howell did not show enough to give Minnesota confidence that he could start in a pinch. The Vikings traded Howell to the Philadelphia Eagles before the beginning of the regular season and resorted to signing Carson Wentz off the streets.
This cannot happen again.
The Vikings must identify quarterbacks who can already achieve the floor needed to operate the offense at a high level. This means finding a starting caliber quarterback who will compete with McCarthy.
If McCarthy wins the job outright, then the Vikings have a starting-level insurance policy for the young quarterback who has missed 24 games in his first two seasons.
But just giving him the job cannot happen like it did last year.
JJ McCarthy Put on Notice by Vikings’ ‘Huge’ Brian Flores Move