Why the Vikings should trust their process — and say goodbye to Sam Darnold

I'm casting a long side eye at the Minnesota Vikings these days.

You know the look you give your dog when you can sense it eying up the food on the kitchen counter? The look that says they'd better not even think about it?

That's where I'm at with the Vikings — who haven't yet made a mess of their quarterback situation, but seem to be thinking about it.

Maybe that sounds harsh. After all, I'm a big fan of Sam Darnold. I loved watching him lead the Vikings within a win of the NFC's No. 1 seed, and I hope he secures a deal to be a well-paid NFL starter when the free agency cycle gets cranking next week.

I just hope that deal doesn't land him back in Minnesota.

Lest I be labeled a hater, let me explain. 

This is all about competitive advantage, and the Vikings currently own an opportunity at a unique one. In an era when the salary cap continues to jump astronomically, and player salaries jump alongside it, Minnesota is in the rare position to operate without fear.

It's a very specific fear and one that pervades football: the fear of not having a quarterback. That fear is justifiable, as it will sink a franchise and cost even the most accomplished coaches and executives their jobs.

The difference in Minnesota is that the Vikings laid a plan for this problem; they now need only to execute it. They need to trust their vision for J.J. McCarthy.

True, that vision has already changed. McCarthy, the guy they traded up to draft No. 10 overall last spring, tore his meniscus in August. That gave Darnold the chance to embark on his incredible 4,319-yard, 35-touchdown season.

Good as Darnold was, it's not enough reason to take the game plan off the rails and sign him to a short-term deal, as FOX Sports' Jordan Schultz reported the two