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USA Today Sports Media Group
USA Today Sports Media Group
Sport
Trent Knoop

Did the Vikings prefer Michael Penix Jr. to J.J. McCarthy?

The Vikings got their franchise guy with the 10th overall pick in the 2024 NFL Draft but was that the guy Minnesota wanted?

According to Judd Zulgad, he’s heard some rumblings around Minnesota’s camp it actually wanted Washington quarterback Michael Penix Jr. over McCarthy. He mentioned Drake Maye was the Vikings’ obvious choice, but he went to the Patriots. Then the Falcons stunned the world by taking Penix Jr. No. 8 overall after they signed Kirk Cousins to a big contract this offseason.

“I’ve heard rumblings on Penix that the Vikings did love him and they liked his arm. And they liked him more than McCarthy.”

It’s all speculation at this point, but there has been some serious buzz going around the Falcons’ camp that Penix Jr. has been shaky. It’s good for Atlanta that it signed Cousins to be the guy for at least a couple of seasons; why did Penix Jr. groom to become the Falcons’ next franchise guy?

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