The Minnesota Vikings are proceeding with J.J. McCarthy as their starting quarterback, but the position still comes with plenty of uncertainty.
What happens if the 22-year-old suffers another injury? Or, more plausibly, what if he falls short of expectations during offseason workouts?
Head coach Kevin O’Connell, who once called himself a “quarterback killer,” has emphasized caution when developing young quarterbacks and prefers not to throw them into action prematurely.
“I don’t think there’s enough focus on the team’s responsibility in a young quarterback’s development. In my view, organizations often fail young quarterbacks before the quarterbacks fail them,” O’Connell said in an interview with Rich Eisen last year.
This uncertainty is part of why Aaron Rodgers hasn’t committed to playing this season.
“There are some teams that believe he might be holding out for the Vikings,” ESPN’s Jeremy Fowler said on The Dan Patrick Show on May 21. “They see Minnesota as a great fit—Kevin O’Connell is one of the league’s top play-callers, and you get nine dome games a season.”
However, Fowler added that after checking in with the team, he still doesn’t expect a move. “They’re going all-in with McCarthy. So Rodgers is really left with Pittsburgh or retirement.”
As the Vikings prepare for OTAs next week, McCarthy’s performance will be closely scrutinized.
Vikings Owner Speaks on McCarthy’s ‘Gravitational Pull’
Although J.J. McCarthy has yet to showcase his skills in a regular-season NFL game, he’s already made a strong impression with his leadership and demeanor off the field.
“He has a natural ability to lead—it’s magnetic,” Vikings owner Mark Wilf said in an interview with KFAN’s Paul Allen.
“The support he gets from his teammates is clear, and there’s no doubt he has the talent. Coach Kevin O’Connell has been very complimentary of how J.J. has handled everything so far. From a character and leadership standpoint, we couldn’t be more pleased. Everything is trending in the right direction, and we’re fully behind him as he works toward becoming the quarterback we believe he can be.”
Former Vikings Leader Cam Bynum Echoes Vikings’ Confidence in McCarthy
Wilf’s praise for J.J. McCarthy goes beyond the usual front-office talking points—it feels sincere, and that authenticity carries weight.
McCarthy’s resilience following his injury stands out. Often, when players are sidelined for the year, they become distant from the team environment, largely confined to rehab and isolated from regular team activities.
That wasn’t the case for McCarthy.
Former Vikings safety Cam Bynum, now with the Indianapolis Colts, highlighted McCarthy’s unique drive and leadership, which he believes are crucial traits for thriving in the NFL.
“I know he’s ready,” Bynum said on Up & Adams. “He tore his meniscus and was out for the season, but we still saw him every day. That alone says a lot. Most guys you don’t see again until maybe you catch them in the training room at odd hours. But J.J. stayed engaged—he was in meetings, pestering us defensive guys with questions like, ‘What coverage were you in here? How would you have handled this play?’”
Bynum added, “It was November, and he was already focused on next season, saying ‘I’m so ready for this offense.’ That kind of mindset is rare. I respect him a lot, and I truly believe he’ll succeed no matter what comes his way. The Vikings are in good hands with him.”
