As the Minnesota Vikings turn the page to a new era under rookie quarterback J.J. McCarthy, a surprising voice from NFL royalty is giving fans reason to believe they’re on the right track — none other than seven-time Super Bowl champion Tom Brady.
After parting ways with veteran QB Sam Darnold, who helped Minnesota to a strong 2024 season, many questioned whether the Vikings were taking an unnecessary risk by handing the reins to a 22-year-old rookie.
Darnold had revived his career in Minnesota, throwing for over 4,000 yards and 35 touchdowns en route to his first Pro Bowl appearance. His departure — and massive new contract with the Seahawks — left a void that critics feared might derail the Vikings’ momentum.
But behind the scenes, Brady wasn’t buying into the Darnold hype — and his opinion carries weight. As a minority owner of the Las Vegas Raiders, Brady reportedly opposed the idea of signing Darnold, even though his team was in need of a veteran quarterback. According to The Athletic’s Mike Silver, Brady was not in favor of pursuing Darnold during internal discussions, believing it wasn’t the right move for a team trying to win now.
That revelation has given new life to the Vikings’ controversial decision. If a quarterback with Brady’s pedigree doesn’t believe Darnold is worth the investment, then maybe Minnesota’s front office saw what others didn’t — and acted decisively.
Instead of re-signing Darnold to a pricey deal, the Vikings doubled down on their future by drafting McCarthy and surrounding him with talent. The organization poured over $300 million into 14 new player contracts, building a deeper, stronger roster to support their young signal-caller. With that kind of foundation — and McCarthy’s talent — the Vikings could be setting themselves up not just to compete, but to thrive.
Brady’s quiet but powerful stance may not have been aimed directly at Minnesota, but for Vikings fans, it feels like a nod of approval. As doubts fade and optimism builds, the message is clear: the Vikings’ bold bet on McCarthy may be risky — but it just might be brilliant.
