Last year, the Minnesota Vikings selected quarterback J.J. McCarthy with the 10th overall pick of the NFL Draft, but a knee injury ended up sidelining him for his rookie campaign. Sam Darnold then managed to lead the Vikings to 14 wins, which created quite the quarterback controversy in Minnesota.
Ultimately, the Vikings chose to let Darnold walk via free agency, committing to McCarthy under center long term. It was probably the right decision, but it could mean a step back in the short term.
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However, Albert Breer of Sports Illustrated doesn't necessarily see it that way, and he thinks Minnesota's assertiveness in trading for wide receiver Adam Thielen is an in indication that the team has a strong belief in McCarthy heading into 2025.
"That screams 'win now'—putting a premium on the first month-and-a-half of the season and what it could mean for playoff positioning," Breer wrote. "Second, I think it shows support for and belief in J.J. McCarthy. Simply put, if you don't think you can win with him, I don't think you're pressing this sort of short-term need this way. Which, to me, says the Vikings like where their roster is right now."
McCarthy was the fifth quarterback selected in a 2024 draft class that was absolutely loaded with talent at the position. He won a national championship at Michigan during his final collegiate season, throwing for 2,991 yards, 22 touchdowns and four interceptions while completing 72.3 percent of his passes.
Of course, the jury is out on the 22-year-old going into his first professional campaign, but he definitely has some fantastic weapons at his disposal in the form of Justin Jefferson, Jordan Addison (when he returns from his three-game suspension) and Thielen. Plus, the Vikings also have tight end T.J. Hockenson, and their backfield tandem of Aaron Jones and Jordan Mason is impressive.
We will get to see McCarthy in action for the first time next Monday when Minnesota opens its season against the Chicago Bears.
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