J.J. McCarthy is currently in a battle with Kyler Murray to be the starting quarterback of the Minnesota Vikings, but many people will argue that it’s not really a battle at all. Murray is expected to claim the starting job, and people have already started to think about what the future will look like with the veteran quarterback under center.
While McCarthy may not have a ton of supporters, his corner isn’t empty. The young quarterback has had former teammates come to his defense, and another former teammate of McCarthy’s recently came out and argued that he still has everything it takes to be a great quarterback.
That former teammate is Adam Thielen, who spent part of the 2025 season in Minnesota with McCarthy. Thielen appeared on Good Morning Football on Monday and had a passionate defense of the young quarterback.
The recently retired receiver started by saying McCarthy has all the necessary tools to be a successful quarterback in the NFL.
Thielen detailed how McCarthy has skills, a strong arm, the appropriate mindset, and a love for the game and his teammates. That’s why the former receiver is confident that Minnesota’s young quarterback has what it takes.
.@athielen19 believes that @jjmccarthy09 can turn it around this year 💪@Vikings | #Skol pic.twitter.com/MR86clV9r0
— Good Morning Football (@gmfb) June 8, 2026
Former Minnesota Vikings WR Adam Thielen says J.J. McCarthy can still be a great QB
While Thielen believes McCarthy has the potential to be great, he acknowledged that the young quarterback also has a lot of work to do.
However, the former receiver says McCarthy is aware of that as well, and that’s why the QB took feedback from Minnesota and went back to the drawing board.
Thielen says the next step is seeing if that makes a difference in the battle. If McCarthy has fixed his biggest issues, the Vikings could have a serious competition on their hands.
McCarthy is only entering his third season, with his first serving as an unofficial injury redshirt, so he's had his fair share of ups and downs.
Despite that, and the addition of Murray, it would be great for Minnesota if McCarthy could consistently put everything together and become a great quarterback like Adam Thielen thinks he’s capable of doing.
The Vikings invested the 10th-overall pick in McCarthy, so they would obviously want him to develop into the quarterback they thought they were selecting, even if it takes a little time.
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