On Tuesday, a storm brewed for the Minnesota Vikings, and by Wednesday, it struck hard. The team discovered that J.J. McCarthy would not compete in 2024 after surgery disclosed that his meniscus injury necessitated a repair that ends his season.

Head coach Kevin O’Connell expressed his disappointment, stating he felt “crushed” as he broke the news prior to practice.

Cheer up, Vikings supporters! Let’s raise a toast.

However, there’s no need for gloom. While losing their top rookie is unfortunate, this could lead to unexpected advantages.

McCarthy, who led the University of Michigan to a national championship, boasts an impressive 27-1 record as their starting quarterback. He is known for his winning mentality, exceptional intangibles, underrated athletic ability, and a talent for making significant plays under pressure.

O’Connell shared his admiration for McCarthy, the 10th draft pick, stating, “This guy is incredibly driven and focused. He has exceeded my expectations.”

“We have our future franchise quarterback right in our midst.”

However, McCarthy lacks the experience that fellow 2024 draftees like Caleb Williams, Jayden Daniels, Michael Penix Jr., or Bo Nix have. Over the past two seasons, he was part of a Michigan team that sent an impressive 18 players to this year’s combine, marking the highest number in two decades. It would have been unrealistic to expect him to seamlessly fill the shoes of former quarterback Kirk Cousins after such a significant loss.

While there isn’t a universal strategy for launching an NFL quarterback’s career, taking a redshirt season—whether medically or for development—often proves beneficial. Just ask legends like Aaron Rodgers or Philip Rivers. Even Cousins took his time to succeed. Although McCarthy performed well in a preseason game against the Las Vegas Raiders, throwing for 188 yards and two touchdowns, he was still facing less intense scenarios than what regular-season games hold. Rushing him into play could have escalated pressure, a trap that many first-round quarterbacks have fallen into before.

Just look at Sam Darnold.

Darnold, the third overall pick in the 2018 draft, was widely praised for his talent, despite occasionally mishandling the ball. His substantial challenges stemmed from unrealistic expectations, lack of support, subpar coaching, and persistent turmoil during his earlier years in the NFL. In Minnesota, McCarthy would only have to face expectations that could weigh down a rookie, but he isn’t dealing with the same level of chaos that has haunted Darnold throughout his career.

Now, McCarthy can use this time to observe, learn, and inquire without the stress of immediate performance. Meanwhile, Darnold could enjoy mentorship and the resources he rarely had in the past, including stellar coaching, standout players like Justin Jefferson, Jordan Addison (despite an injury on Wednesday), T.J. Hockenson, and Aaron Jones, alongside a reliable offensive line. Additionally, few predict this team will compete strongly in a competitive division, unlike last year’s NFC North champions.

Afflicted by quarterback changes in 2023, Minnesota managed a tough season with Joshua Dobbs, Nick Mullens, and Jaren Hall—two of whom remain with the team. O’Connell and GM Kwesi Adofo-Mensah opted to bring Darnold on board, investing $10 million for this season, illustrating their confidence in his ability to enhance the team’s performance.

Therefore, it seems the Vikings have a solid plan moving forward, with Darnold set to start in Week 1. There might be attempts to add another quarterback during camp, but significant trades or acquisitions seem unlikely.

“Our team has shown a great deal of excitement towards Sam Darnold and his contributions,” expressed O’Connell.

This could result in more victories than anticipated from a player eager to demonstrate his worth, following in the footsteps of Baker Mayfield, who took significant strides last season with the Tampa Bay Buccaneers.

While McCarthy’s immediate presence is missed, his absence may lead to a clearer path for Darnold compared to the distractions that could have arisen during challenging times.

“We’re prepared to endure, adapt, and thrive,” O’Connell mentioned.

The 2024 Vikings may have already encountered some difficulties. However, let’s hold off on making any drastic decisions.