After last season ended, all signs pointed to the Minnesota Vikings having J.J. McCarthy as their starting quarterback this season. No amount of forced offseason speculation about Aaron Rodgers or any other notable veteran quarterback was going to derail that.
With that in mind, Sam Darnold and Daniel Jones were never really options to be brought back. The fact that they are both enjoying success with their new teams this season is immaterial to the broader equation.
McCarthy made the fourth start of his career against the Baltimore Ravens in Week 10, and if he hadn't missed time with an ankle injury, he'd still be headed for just his 10th career start Sunday against the Chicago Bears.