This article was originally published on www.si.com/nfl/seahawks/onsi as NFL analyst says the Sam Darnold-J.J. McCarthy debate is officially over. The Seattle Seahawks own an 8-3 record and are in second place in the NFC West. The Minnesota Vikings are 4-7, have lost three games in a row, and are dead last in the NFC North.

Sam Darnold and Daniel Jones are thriving with their new teams while J.J. McCarthy has struggled and has missed games due to injury.

McCarthy suffered a concussion during Minnesota's 23-6 road loss to the Green Bay Packers on Sunday, and remains in concussion protocol per ESPN's Kevin Seifert. If McCarthy is unable to clear protocol in time for the Week 13 game in Seattle, the Vikings will be forced to roll with rookie Max Brosmer.

J.J. McCarthy sat staring into his locker after the Minnesota Vikings lost 23-6 to the Green Bay Packers. They entered the game with a 2% chance of making

According to the latest report from The Athletic’s Michael Silver, it sounds like McCarthy and Darnold’s lack of a relationship had an impact on what Minnesota decided to do. According to the reporter, the two Vikings quarterbacks didn't exactly have a good relationship.

The Minnesota Vikings are flirting with a quarterback controversy on their hands for a third straight offseason in 2026.

Vikings quarterback J.J. McCarthy is in concussion protocol, per NFL Network's Tom Pelissero. ESPN's Kevin Seifert reported that McCarthy first brought up concussion symptoms on Minnesota's flight home from their Week 12 loss to the Green Bay Packers.