The Minnesota Vikings are setting the stage for a potentially franchise-changing offseason when the team will likely commit to either starter Sam Darnold or injured quarterback J.J. McCarthy, who missed his entire rookie season in 2024 with a knee injury.

With J.J. McCarthy the only quarterback under contract, the Vikings are biding time before a big decision on Sam Darnold and Daniel Jones.

No, the Vikings have not decided to run it back with veteran quarterback Sam Darnold, nor have they decided to move on from him and hand the keys over to rookie quarterback J.J. McCarthy.

National discussion has framed the Vikings' looming quarterback decision as whether they should re-sign veteran Sam Darnold, who is set to become an unrestricted free agent. But their first priority is to assess McCarthy's capacity for a quick ascension.

The Vikings signed Rypien to a reserve/future contract Wednesday, Craig Peters of the team's official site reports.

J.J. McCarthy is a key to the Minnesota Vikings’ offseason plans, so the additional hurdle he is navigating is especially noteworthy.