Vikings’ Quarterback Nick Mullens Signs With Jaguars
The Minnesota Vikings will have a revamped quarterback room in 2025.
On March 10, Sam Darnold agreed to a three-year, $100.5 million contract with the Seattle Seahawks, a move that was somewhat unexpected given many assumed he would remain in Minnesota.
Shortly after Darnold’s departure, another key quarterback change occurred. ESPN reported that Nick Mullens has signed a two-year deal with the Jacksonville Jaguars, where he will reunite with former Vikings assistant Grant Udinski, now Jacksonville’s offensive coordinator.
With both Darnold and Mullens gone, the Vikings’ quarterback depth chart is down to J.J. McCarthy and Brett Rypien.
How Mullens’ Departure Affects J.J. McCarthy
Mullens was the longest-tenured quarterback in head coach Kevin O’Connell’s system. In O’Connell’s first year, he evaluated Kellen Mond and Sean Mannion but decided he needed a stronger backup. The Vikings then traded a seventh-round pick to the Raiders to acquire Mullens, who immediately secured the QB2 role.
During the Vikings’ 2023 season, which saw a revolving door at quarterback, Mullens played a crucial role. While Joshua Dobbs had a memorable run, Mullens provided stability, averaging 370 passing yards in his three starts. He also helped star receiver Justin Jefferson surpass 1,000 yards despite Jefferson missing several games due to injury.
O’Connell praised Mullens in the 2024 preseason, emphasizing his reliability and readiness to step in when needed. Last season, Mullens delivered clutch performances, making key third-down conversions that contributed to wins against the Bears and Jets.
Although losing Mullens isn’t a major setback, his presence would have been beneficial for McCarthy’s development. However, the Vikings still have experienced mentors in quarterback coach Josh McCown and O’Connell himself.
J.J. McCarthy’s Time to Shine
Darnold’s departure confirms that the Vikings are moving forward with McCarthy as their starting quarterback.
McCarthy, recovering from an August meniscus tear, is expected to fully participate in spring workouts. He has also regained weight, now back at 200 pounds after losing some during rehab.
With McCarthy as the starter, the Vikings are expected to be aggressive in free agency. As of Monday afternoon, they have already signed cornerback Isaiah Rodgers from the Eagles on a two-year, $15 million deal, with additional moves likely coming soon.
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