The Minnesota Vikings will enter the 2025 NFL with quarterback J.J. McCarthy looking to build instant chemistry with superstar wide receiver Justin Jefferson.
Sam Darnold took the QB mantle last season after McCarthy suffered a season-ending right knee meniscus tear in the preseason opener against the Las Vegas Raiders. He led the Vikings to a brilliant 14-3 record in the regular season.
The Los Angeles Rams put an abrupt end to the Darnold and Jefferson train in the Wild Card Round. This season, things are different. Minnesota let Darnold walk away in free agency, leaving McCarthy with big shoes to fill in 2025.
J.J. McCarthy
Minnesota Vikings quarterback J.J. McCarthy (9)
© Brad Rempel-Imagn Images
NFL Network's Adam Rank dropped a disappointing prediction for the Vikings' fans. He doesn't believe that McCarthy would manage to pull off a similar record in what would be the Vikings' quarterback's rookie season.
"The Minnesota Vikings are one of the most interesting teams for 2025," Rank said. "Very good a season ago, but they got rid of Sam Darnold. JJ McCarthy seems ready, poised to take over this team."
Rank has McCarthy starting his NFL career with a loss to the Chicago Bears in Week 1. He believes Minnesota will defeat the Atlanta Falcons and the Cincinnati Bengals at home. He said the Vikings will head into the bye week following a loss to Aaron Rodgers' Pittsburgh Steelers but a win over the Cleveland Browns.
"You start off three and two. Heading into the bye week, you're feeling pretty good. You're like, 'Okay, JJ McCarthy starting to feel himself, that feels good." But playing the defending champions at home, not great in Week 7," Rank said.
He predicted the Vikings to suffer three straight losses to the Philadelphia Eagles, the Los Angeles Chargers, and the Detroit Lions before registering a victory against the Baltimore Ravens in Week 10.
Rank added that the Vikings will defeat the Bears again in Week 11 but will lose to the Green Bay Packers.
"JJ McCarthy going out to face Sam Darnold. The Sam Darnold revenge game, you got a loss right here," he predicted.
The NFL analyst has Minnesota winning against the Washington Commanders. However, the Dallas Cowboys are expected to defeat McCarthy's army.
Entering the final stretch, Rank predicts the Vikings to win against the New York Giants and avenge their loss against the Detroit Lions.
"You're eight and eight. Home against the Green Bay Packers. JJ McCarthy, with an opportunity to stamp himself as the definitive Vikings quarterback and as a definitive Viking, it would mean you lose a big game. So, I have the Packers winning that," he said.
As per Rank's analysis, the Vikings will end the 2025 regular season with an 8-9 record. While he has confidence in McCarthy having a good season, the NFL analyst doesn't see him making it to the playoffs in his very first season.
Minnesota also parted ways with Daniel Jones and Nick Mullens in free agency. They traded for Sam Howell rather than acquiring a veteran quarterback. If things go south with McCarthy, the fans might have to bear a worse result than Rank's prediction.