Vikings' quarterback battle between Sam Darnold and J.J. McCarthy is a friendly game of survival

Darnold is understands what the expectations for a top-10 draft pick are like

The former No. 3 overall pick hasn't lived up to his draft billing, but he was also thrown into a bad situation in New York and has had to scratch and claw his way to survival, ever since. Darnold appears to be trending upward since his 2022 season in Carolina and now he enters a solid environment when it comes the Vikings' overall roster outlook.

"I mean, obviously we have some really good skill players," said Darnold. "We have the offensive line as well, [and a] really good defense. Everything's there to be able to compete -[we] just have to get the ball out on time and continue to find completions and convert third downs."

That bodes well for McCarthy, which is the inverse of Darnold's rookie situation. The main thing they have in common is the expectations that come with a top-10 draft pick.

Darnold is willing to help McCarthy navigate the path ahead.

"I mean, there's obviously a lot with expectations and whether or not a quarterback should start right away or whether they should sit a year or two," said Darnold. "... It just totally depends on you know, the situation the organization, the guys in the locker room and what, you know, what is surrounding that quarterback, especially as a high draft pick...

"... I do feel like a vet and just being able to help guys, not only J.J., but other young guys in the locker room that need anything, I'm always happy to help."

He doesn't have to think like that, either. There have been plenty of guys unwilling to help, or at least it's not something they're thinking about, and that's fine - we are talking about someone's job, here. Still, football is the ultimate team sport, so it's always good to hear when guys are willing to help others, regardless of what it means for their personal gain or loss.

McCarthy vs. Darnold isn't the only QB battle

Don't forget about Nick Mullens and Jaren Hall. Even if the Vikings decide to carry two QBs, the winner between those two could end up on the practice squad or get traded to another team that needs a legit No. 2. Either way, there's some kind of job awaiting the winner of that battle and they'll be one play away from becoming the Vikings' No. 2 QB during the season.

From top to bottom, the Vikings' QB competition will be a fun one in 2024.

"[There are] great people in that room, right now," said Darnold. "Really smart guys to be able to bounce ideas off of and it's going to be fun once we start getting in the weeds of defenses and especially ours. You know, being able to dissect kind of what they're doing and how JJ, Nick, and Jaren see it."