The Minnesota Vikings signed quarterback Matt Corral after placing rookie J.J. McCarthy on season-ending injured reserve due to a meniscus injury that required surgery. However, despite Corral’s addition, Sam Darnold will likely remain the Vikings starter for Week 1 of the 2024 NFL season.
The Carolina Panthers selected Corral in the third round of the 2022 NFL Draft. He was the fourth quarterback chosen in that draft after Kenny Pickett, Desmond Ridder, and Malik Willis. However, a Lisfranc injury during the preseason led to the Panthers putting him on season-ending injured reserve.
The Panthers waived Corral before the 2023 season, allowing the New England Patriots to claim him off waivers. However, the Patriots released him a day after their Week 2 game versus the Miami Dolphins.
The #Vikings have signed former #Panthers draft pick QB Matt Corral and placed J.J. McCarthy on injured reserve.
— Tom Pelissero (@TomPelissero) August 16, 2024
The former Ole Miss standout found a new lease on his football career after joining the United Football League’s Birmingham Barons. He won the UFL’s inaugural championship with Birmingham, but the team terminated his contract, allowing him to sign with an NFL team.
It remains to be seen if Corral will get his first taste of NFL regular-season action. He never got to play some minutes with the Panthers and the Patriots because he was either injured or waived. He must compete with Nick Mullens and Jaren Hall to achieve that milestone and become Darnold’s primary backup.
-Lance Fernandez