Minnesota Vikings fans are counting the seconds until Week 1, so all the chatter about quarterback J.J. McCarthy can subside.
All offseason, the number one question with the Vikings is whether McCarthy is ready to step up as the starter after missing all of last year with a torn meniscus. This was accompanied by rumors of quiet conversations with Aaron Rodgers and a potential reunion with Kirk Cousins circulating throughout the offseason.
With McCarthy the clear starter, the questions still arise during the summer, with CBS Sports writer Cody Benjamin the latest to ask it. Benjamin shared his one red flag with every Super Bowl contender, and the uncertainty of McCarthy has him worried.
"It's rare you find a team so equipped for a deep playoff run yet without so much as a morsel of certainty under center. J.J. McCarthy may have the full support of a winning staff led by Kevin O'Connell, whose chief strength besides perpetual "Minnesota Nice" optimism is maximizing his quarterbacks, but he's still a 22-year-old with zero real NFL snaps under his belt. Facing not only a difficult schedule but inflated expectations from fans who watched Sam Darnold win 14 games a year ago, he's at least got the weapons and staff to aid his debut."
The Minnesota Vikings are so deep that they don't need to worry about McCarthy
Everyone seems to forget how good this offense is. With Sam Darnold leading the way, the Vikings were ranked sixth in passing offense, averaging 237.8 yards per game in 2024. And nobody believed in Darnold, and now he's a $100+ million quarterback for the Seattle Seahawks.
There won't be a lot of pressure on McCarthy to do much. Vikings head coach Kevin O'Connell isn't going to ask McCarthy to throw the ball 40 times a game.
Minnesota loaded up the backfield with Aaron Jones and Jordan Mason to create a solid one-two punch at running back. The running game was average a season ago, with Jones doing the heavy lifting, so Mason can take the load off of Jones and McCarthy.
It's no secret that the Packers have one of the best pass-catching groups in the NFL. Justin Jefferson alone is one of the top five receivers in the NFL. Jordan Addison and T.J. Hockenson make for wonderful complementary pieces.
Even the one weak point to the offense a season ago is now up to par with the rest of the group. Minnesota's offensive line is rebuilt with Ryan Kelly, Will Fries, and rookie first-round pick Donovan Jackson joining the team.
It's understandable to an extent to worry about whether McCarthy is ready for the big time, but after winning a national championship with the Michigan Wolverines and have the supporting cast in Minnesota, there's no reason for the young quarterback to fail when he's set up for success.