“If possible, the Vikings would probably like to keep Nick Mullens around for his knowledge,” Kenyon wrote. “The problem is Minnesota signed Sam Darnold in free agency, drafted J.J. McCarthy and still has Jaren Hall — who realistically might not be safe as a hopeful stash on the practice squad. This is very much a Mullens vs. Hall discussion.”

The decision between Mullens and Hall isn’t a simple one, particularly because of the Vikings’ planned approach to the development of McCarthy — the No. 10 overall pick in the 2024 NFL draft — and how that ties into his eventual ascendance to the starting role.

General manager Kwesi Adofo-Mensah has vowed not to rush McCarthy into the starting job, as he and head coach Kevin O’Connell want to keep their hands “clean” throughout his progress and make sure they don’t contribute to derailing the career of a player they hope will be the franchise QB. And while that’s a logical strategy — even if a little careful, bordering on hesitant — it will create an interesting dilemma if Darnold either gets hurt and/or struggles mightily.