J.J. McCarthy’s rookie season ended before it began. The Vikings quarterback's second season hasn’t yet begun, but it’s already clouded with roster and injury uncertainty.

National discussion has framed the Vikings' looming quarterback decision as whether they should re-sign veteran Sam Darnold, who is set to become an unrestricted free agent. But their first priority is to assess McCarthy's capacity for a quick ascension.

There’s a team in Detroit that is smoldering because they are not in New Orleans attempting to do the same thing after a near-perfect regular season.