Let’s go back to summer 2024, shall we? The Vikings were trying to move on from Kirk Cousins after his last year in Minnesota saw them miss out on the playoffs. So, having the 10th overall pick, the Vikings thought, why not dive into a QB class that saw 6 getting picked up in the first round alone? Their choice? JJ McCarthy—straight out of Michigan with a 15-0 record in his last year with the Wolverines. Pretty awesome, right? However, those dreams of the Vikings to see him run rampant in his rookie year were soon obliterated in the preseason itself. Still, even after missing his whole rookie campaign, his former Vikings teammate believes JJ McCarthy is the chosen one. So, what’s the scoop?
See, McCarthy was coming into a QB room that already had now-rags-to-riches QB Sam Darnold. Signed by the Vikings for a year after his failed tenures as a Jet, Panther and 49er, the Vikings didn’t really have much hope for Darnold. Still, just because of his experience in the league, he was named as a starter in last year’s training camp.
Like former Vikings safety Camryn Bynum said on Good Morning Football, “He came in…he’s still a young guy, still competing with Sam. But the way that he carried himself just as a leader but also still following the right way and still listening and humbling himself to learn from the other guys. But the one thing that stood out to me from him as soon as he got in, he was throwing that ball. He was a gunslinger in practice.” I mean, looking at the only game McCarthy played for the Vikings, Bynum’s words aren’t surprising at all.
“He’s a maniac when it comes to football overall.”@Cambeezy_ on J.J. McCarthy taking over as the @Vikings QB1 pic.twitter.com/jhXZ5UUbdY
— Good Morning Football (@gmfb) March 20, 2025
Passing for 188 yards, 2 TDs, no INTs against the Raiders in preseason. McCarthy looked like he had all the traits to be an instant starter in the league. However, what looked like a match made in heaven soon turned into a nightmare one game in. Once the Raiders game was over, doctors found out McCarthy had torn his meniscus (completely). He needed an instant surgery on his right knee. And went on to become the first QB ever to miss his whole rookie campaign after getting picked in the first round. Yikes!!!
Surely, it was not the record McCarthy or the Vikings envisioned while drafting him. But thankfully, Darnold came up big and had his breakout year. He led the team to a 14-3 record while getting his first Pro Bowl nod. However, it still wasn’t enough for him to earn a future in purple and gold. His last two games, where he completed just 18 of his 41 passes for 166 yards, led to the Vikings moving on from Darnold.
Well, not actually moving on. The Vikings are going back to their promised prince in McCarthy. Who Bynum believes is “a maniac when it comes to football.” Given the keys to the program, the former Vikings’ safety thinks once healthy, McCarthy could be the leader the Vikings envisioned him to be. And to make things more sweeter for McCarthy’s eventual return. Recent reports have suggested the Vikings aren’t interested in Brett Favre 2.0.
Aaron Rodgers isn’t fulfilling the Brett Favre prophecy, after all
Packers→Jets→Vikings—that’s the path Brett Favre followed in his career. However, it seems Aaron Rodgers won’t be cutting the same route for himself, even if it was his wish to do so. A report by NFL Network suggests the Vikings aren’t pursuing Aaron Rodgers “at this time.” They want to focus on the development of JJ McCarthy as he nears his return from a torn meniscus. Like it’s also been suggested that the Vikings are looking to give McCarthy first-team snaps during their OTA and minicamp. But there’s one good news for Rodgers.
Image Credits: Imago
Some sources, as per ESPN, have suggested the Vikings are not completely squashing the idea of Rodgers. Considering he doesn’t sign anywhere else before the training camp. They could revisit Rodgers and have a talk. But right now, it’s all McCarthy. He is the Vikings franchise quarterback, the one for the future. Actually, the Vikings aren’t wrong at all in favoring McCarthy. Still looking at the current state of their QB room. It won’t be a wise decision to give up on Rodgers.
The only QB they have on the roster is Brett Rypien. The one who has only 4 career starts in six years in his NFL resume. So, surely the Vikings aren’t looking to move forward with this QB depth, right? If yes, then they should just pray McCarthy doesn’t get injured. Because if he re-ruptures his Meniscus, then it’s definitely game over for the Vikings come the 2025 season.
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