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J.J. McCarthy, Sam Darnold QB1 Battle Discussed by Vikings HC Kevin O'Connell

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Minnesota Vikings coach Kevin O'Connell believes Sam Darnold is ready to be their starting quarterback—even if he knows it's only for a stopgap year.

"I think Sam just wants to take advantage of what he feels is a pretty great opportunity," O'Connell said, per Chip Scoggins of the Star Tribune.

Darnold has been taking the majority of the first-team snaps all offseason, so his winning the job over rookie J.J. McCarthy seems like a foregone conclusion. McCarthy was the team's first-round pick out of Michigan but was always seen as a project.