BREAKING NEWS :It Was Always Going To Be J.J. McCarthy

Before the free-agency window opened earlier this week, a person none the wiser about the Minnesota Vikings’ future at quarterback would have believed that rookie quarterback J.J. McCarthy was either still injured or not wanted within the organization entirely.

National media pundits have drilled this narrative into their clickbait and engagement-based sports coverage. Thanks to things panning out exactly how it was always going to last Monday with Sam Darnold, those rumors and ridiculous trade scenarios can be put to rest.

First, it was the Sam Darnold saga. A “will they, won’t they” situation. Will the Vikings place a franchise tag on him or sign him to a new contract? Reading the tea leaves, it was safe to assume that Darnold’s purple era would end. After signing a three-year, $100 million contract with the Seattle Seahawks, Darnold did enough to play himself into a big contract.

Darnold signing in Seattle gave McCarthy more runway to take over under center.

Then, there was real speculation that the Vikings could move forward with Daniel Jones as the team’s starter, citing another quarterback project for head coach Kevin O’Connell. However, staying in Minnesota likely meant bridging to McCarthy, so Jones signed with the Indianapolis Colts to compete with Anthony Richardson for a starting spot. The Jacksonville Jaguars also signed former backup quarterback Nick Mullens earlier this week.

And then there was one. In true hallmark movie fashion, the media and some fans should be ready to tell McCarthy, It was always you! Something the Vikings already knew.

Considering every move the Vikings have made since drafting McCarthy, the proof is in the process of the team and coaching staff committing to the 22-year-old out of Michigan. All signs point to McCarthy. Team-building aspects like signing a veteran, game-breaking running back, bolstering defensive attributes that allow for short fields and turnovers, and bringing in a somewhat unproven veteran quarterback to be the potential backup indicate they’re preparing to shift to a rookie quarterback.

McCarthy’s meniscus tear may have a silver lining. After an entire season of absorbing this offense at work while maintaining weekly one-on-one meetings with O’Connell, his situation is increasingly unique, considering the roster around him.

We know about the NFL’s flaws with quarterback development. Teams hand the keys to rookies and deal them a bad hand in an underwhelming roster and subpar coaching rooms — the Cleveland Browns, New York Jets, etc.

The Vikings have significantly upgraded the offensive line, signing former Colts center and guard Ryan Kelly and Will Fries. That boost and security up front will positively impact a first-time play-caller and minimize the pressures McCarthy would see up the middle. With more moves looming via free agency and the draft in April, there’s more to explore regarding how strong the Vikings can make this offense, thanks to a rookie contract at quarterback.

Coming off of one of the most successful regular seasons in franchise history without McCarthy at the helm, fans may be tentative once the rubber hits the road.

Rest assured, the steps Minnesota has taken to elevate an already driven young quarterback are all promising and something the coaching staff has done with intention. Now, the team looks to sign a veteran-type backup to accompany McCarthy in the quarterback room. Some names to look for regarding the backup position are Russell Wilson, Joe Flacco, Jameis Winston, Drew Lock, and Gardner Minshew.

There’s still chatter about an “inevitable” Aaron Rodgers signing that could occur before free agency is all said and done, but chatter is where it ends. This Vikings regime and roster don’t want, or need, to uproot their stellar development plan for McCarthy in favor of an aging, problematic shot-caller who hates the mechanics of a motion offense.

McCarthy has been handed the keys to a Ferrari 250 GTO, and his only job now is to avoid damaging it.