J.J. McCarthy has yet to be under center for the Minnesota Vikings for a meaningful game, yet there is a swirl of pessimism around his transition to the next level. McCarthy missed his rookie campaign with a torn right meniscus, but multiple setbacks created a longer timetable for recovery.
McCarthy’s first action back in the spring was lackluster, with multiple local beat writers noting struggles with accuracy and diagnosing defenses throughout team drills. The Michigan Wolverines football product has the reins to one of the league’s most explosive offenses, but is he in a position to get his squad back in the postseason?
One analyst projects McCarthy could struggle immensely out of the gates.
In a recent piece for Bleacher Report, NFL writer Kristopher Knox predicted McCarthy to be Minnesota’s biggest bust next season.
“The Vikings aren’t about to ditch McCarthy if he plays at a below-average level in 2025,” Knox wrote. “Add the injury to the fact that McCarthy was never viewed as an elite prospect—the B/R Scouting Department ranked him 33rd overall on its final 2024 board—and it’s not hard to envision McCarthy experiencing his fair share of growing pains this season.”
McCarthy possesses all the traits of an elite quarterback, but his limited reps are alarming.
Even en route to a national title with the Wolverines, McCarthy was a game manager at best, with Jim Harbaugh’s group relying on historic defensive production and the ground game to hoist a championship.
The Vikings’ aggressive front seven and top-tier wideouts give the 22-year-old a chance to be successful right out of the gates.
If he can limit turnovers and use his legs to extend plays, the club should be able to be competitive in the loaded NFC North.
