MINNEAPOLIS — There was little consternation in Minnesota when the state’s favorite professional sports team decided not to sign a veteran quarterback to tutor, or at least babysit, J.J. McCarthy through his first real NFL season.

It seemed Vikings fans were ready for the 10th overall pick in the 2024 draft to take the reins of a team whose fortunes seemed to be resting on the performance of its quarterback. This despite the fact that McCarthy, a national championship winner at Michigan, missed his entire rookie season because of a knee injury.

The Vikings could have re-signed Sam Darnold, a revelation as he defibrillated his career with a sensational year while leading Minnesota to a 14-3 record in 2024. But it would have been expensive, more than $40 million for a one-year franchise ta

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