While Daunte Culpepper spent just seven seasons with the Minnesota Vikings, he's undoubtedly one of the greatest quarterbacks in franchise history.
In addition to earning three trips to the Pro Bowl during his run with the Vikes and leading the team to an NFC Championship Game appearance following the 2000 season, the 1999 first-round pick also sits in fourth place on the team's all-time leaderboard in both passing yards (20,162) and touchdown passes (135).
So, Culpepper is certainly still invested in what happens with his former team. And as a quarterback, he's obviously interested to see what the future holds for fellow first-round pick J.J. McCarthy, who was forced to sit out his rookie season with a knee injury but will finally get a taste of regular-season NFL action when the Vikings kick off their 2025 campaign this Monday night in the Windy City against the Chicago Bears.
As a first-round pick, there was always going to be pressure on McCarthy to come in and perform at a high level immediately. And after what Sam Darnold did a season ago after McCarthy went down during training camp, leading Minnesota to a 14-3 record while having the best season of his career, that pressure has undoubtedly intensified.
But Culpepper genuinely believes McCarthy is up for the challenge, so much so that he recently stated that the 22-year-old could very well lead the league in the two categories mentioned above while leading the Vikings to the Super Bowl.
Yeah, Daunte went bold.
Daunte Culpepper made some bold predictions on J.J. McCarthy and the Minnesota Vikings for the 2025 NFL season
In a recent interview with Betway.com, Culpepper revealed that he spent roughly three weeks with McCarthy in July and couldn't help but be impressed, saying he was "blown away with his accuracy, his ball placement, and just the zip he has on his passes," also opining that the Michigan alum has the "it" factor.
And it was soon after that statement that he started making some very bold predictions for the upcoming season.
"Unfortunately, J.J. got hurt his rookie year, but it made him hungrier, and I saw that in his eyes," Culpepper said. "I’m excited about this year, and I think they’re going to be the top team in that division.
"It wouldn’t surprise me if J.J. leads the league in passing. If he doesn’t lead the league in touchdowns, he’ll be right there at the top because I’m telling you, they’re gonna surprise people, and that defense is solid, and with our running game, it’s just going to go hand in hand."
But Daunte didn't stop there. When asked his thoughts on the winner of Super Bowl 60, Culpepper admittedly went with the homer pick, but Minnesota fans likely won't care.
"I’m a little biased when it comes to the Vikings. I had a lot of success in Minnesota, and I’m going to pull for Minnesota. I just see great things for them, and that’s my dark horse," Culpepper said.
I’m gonna say it first before anybody else says it. I’ll say the Minnesota Vikings. It's been too long. It's time for the Vikings to get a championship. It's time."
The Vikings, of course, have never won a Super Bowl, losing all three of their appearances, the most recent coming nearly five decades ago at the conclusion of the 1976 season. Is this the year Minnesota finally hoists a Lombardi Trophy? We'll find out soon enough.