 in action during the Hall of Fame game at Fawcett Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Malcolm Emmons-USA TODAY Sports.</p>
<p>” data-medium-file=”https://vikingsterritory.com/cdn-cgi/image/width=788,height=444,fit=crop,quality=80,format=auto,onerror=redirect,metadata=none/wp-content/uploads/2024/04/kramerendorse.jpg” data-large-file=”https://vikingsterritory.com/cdn-cgi/image/width=1180,height=679,fit=crop,quality=80,format=auto,onerror=redirect,metadata=none/wp-content/uploads/2024/04/kramerendorse.jpg”><figcaption> Malcolm Emmons-USA TODAY Sports.</figcaption></figure>
<p>He’d roll with J.J. McCarthy if the decision were solely up to him.</p>
<h4>Beloved Former Vikings Passer Offers 2025 QB Endorsement</h4>
<p>That’s the word from former Minnesota Vikings quarterback Tommy Kramer, an active member of Vikings-themed social media and overall fantastic human.</p>
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Kramer tweeted.
McCarthy, as the Vikings’ unabashed quarterback of the future, felt like a no-brainer among all fans from late April until the last few weeks. Then, current QB1 Sam Darnold began convincing onlookers otherwise. All of a sudden, some Vikings enthusiasts have decided that keeping Darnold is the way forward.
Kramer played in 129 Vikings games from 1977 to 1989, starting 110. He threw for 24,777 passing yards, 159 touchdowns, and 158 interceptions. In 1986, his best season, he earned a Pro Bowl nod.
 talks with Minnesota Vikings quarterback Tommy Kramer (9) prior to the inaugural NFL International Series game at Wembley Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Herb Weitman-USA TODAY Sports</p>
<p>” data-medium-file=”https://vikingsterritory.com/cdn-cgi/image/width=641,height=444,fit=crop,quality=80,format=auto,onerror=redirect,metadata=none/wp-content/uploads/2024/01/USATSI_5800070.jpg” data-large-file=”https://vikingsterritory.com/cdn-cgi/image/width=1180,height=817,fit=crop,quality=80,format=auto,onerror=redirect,metadata=none/wp-content/uploads/2024/01/USATSI_5800070.jpg” src=”https://vikingsterritory.com/cdn-cgi/image/width=641,height=444,fit=crop,quality=80,format=auto,onerror=redirect,metadata=none/wp-content/uploads/2024/01/USATSI_5800070.jpg” alt=”2025 QB”><figcaption> Herb Weitman-USA TODAY Sports<span></span></figcaption></figure>
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<p>In April, Kramer endorsed Drake Maye for Minnesota’s quarterback plan. The rookie ended up in New England after the Vikings did not fire off a Godfather trade. Like most of the team’s fans, Kramer quickly warmed up to McCarthy.</p>
<p>Other former Vikings personnel have recommended the <em>opposite </em>of Kramer as of late. Ex-Vikings boss Rick Spielman claimed he’d keep Darnold a week and a half ago. “If I was Minnesota, why wouldn’t you keep Sam Darnold? Why not do a potential bridge deal like a Baker Mayfield? Three years, $100 million deal?” <a href=)
Spielman said on the With the First Pick podcast.
Minnesota, in reality, may not offer Darnold another bridge deal because Darnold can realistically expect to command $40-$50 million per season via his next contract. The Vikings don’t have that lying around unless they have no plans to sign other free agents during the 2025 offseason. In fact, re-signing Darnold to a contract recognizing his market value would plop Minnesota right back in its Kirk Cousins era of team-building, a period orchestrated by Spielman that resulted in one postseason win.
 and center Michael Jurgens (65) warm up before the game against the Las Vegas Raiders at U.S. Bank Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Jeffrey Becker-USA TODAY Sports.</p>
<p>” data-medium-file=”https://vikingsterritory.com/cdn-cgi/image/width=788,height=444,fit=crop,quality=80,format=auto,onerror=redirect,metadata=none/wp-content/uploads/2024/08/conspjjm.jpg” data-large-file=”https://vikingsterritory.com/cdn-cgi/image/width=1180,height=689,fit=crop,quality=80,format=auto,onerror=redirect,metadata=none/wp-content/uploads/2024/08/conspjjm.jpg” src=”https://vikingsterritory.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/08/conspjjm-788×460.jpg” alt ><figcaption> Jeffrey Becker-USA TODAY Sports.<span></span></figcaption></figure>
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<p>Spielman mentioned about McCarthy, who tore his meniscus in August, canceling his entire rookie season: “He’s a rookie. He’s going to start over from scratch. He didn’t do anything this year. He’s not practicing. He’s sitting in meetings. He’s rehabbing. He hasn’t done one thing since that surgery except rehab throw the ball on the side, maybe. But he’s not practicing, so you’re starting from square one with him.”</p>
<p>Spielman concluded, “Look at what Green Bay did with Jordan Love. Look at what Green Bay did with Brett Favre. If you count next year, his rookie year, Patrick Mahomes sat behind Alex Smith. So if I sit him for two years, why not?”</p>
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Dustin Baker is a political scientist who graduated from the University of Minnesota in 2007. Subscribe to his daily YouTube Channel, VikesNow. The show features guests, analysis, and opinion on all things related to the purple team, with 4-7 episodes per week. His MIN obsession dates back to 1996. Listed guilty pleasures: Peanut Butter Ice Cream, ‘The Sopranos,’ Basset Hounds, and The Doors (the band). He follows the NBA as closely as the NFL.
All statistics provided by Pro Football Reference / Stathead; all contractual information provided by OverTheCap.com.
