Why Sam Darnold may have sealed J.J. McCarthy’s fate after Vikings duds

Don’t go putting J.J. McCarthy in different uniforms — including the Giants’ — just yet.

Sam Darnold’s second straight Jets-esque performance in a primetime game, this one ending the Vikings’ season Monday night in the 27-9 wild-card loss to the Rams, has perhaps helped solidify to Minnesota decision-makers how they should handle their upcoming quarterback controversy.

While Darnold deserves kudos, applause and perhaps even the Comeback Player of the Year Award for leading the Vikings to a 14-4 record, the reality is, he folded in the two biggest games of the season.

McCarthy, the 10th overall pick by the Vikings in last year’s NFL draft, now waits in the wings.

Some had speculated whether the Vikings should trade McCarthy due to Darnold’s ascension, but these two ugly showings against the Lions and Rams, are warts that will be hard to remove.

Darnold, 27, looked like the former Jets bust in those games, taking bad sacks, making poor throws and leading his team to nine points in both games.