The biggest question for the Minnesota Vikings entering the 2025 NFL season is how the team will fare with a new starting quarterback. The team moved on from last year's starter, Sam Darnold, and is prepared to move forward with J.J. McCarthy.
A first-round pick in the 2024 NFL Draft, McCarthy sat out all of the 2024 regular season with a knee injury, but all reports indicate that he is ready to take the field this fall. However, how he will perform in a starting role during the regular season has yet to be seen.
There have been plenty of doubters about his ability to be the passer the Vikings need him to be, but there are also quite a few supporters who believe the former University of Michigan quarterback is the real deal.
Former Minnesota Vikings quarterback Daunte Culpepper thinks J.J. McCarthy could thrive early in his new starting role.
It is well-documented that media personality Colin Cowherd does not have faith in J.J. McCarthy succeeding for the Minnesota Vikings. However, a recent CBS article by WCCO's Anthony Bettin cast a light on how a former quarterback for the team sees potential in the young passer and even thinks he could thrive early.
"I think it won't be a hard transition for him in the NFL," Culpepper said. "As long as we keep him healthy and keep him off the ground, with those weapons around him, I see great things."
Health is the big question mark since that can be hard to control in the NFL. But the Vikings have been diligent in surrounding McCarthy with as much talent as possible to help him succeed in his first year as a starter.
Head coach Kevin O'Connell didn't win Coach of the Year for nothing. Watching him get the most out of Sam Darnold last season opened a lot of people around the league, and now the same staff has the opportunity to develop McCarthy.
Culpepper doesn't stop there. He sees greatness in the young Vikings quarterback. He praised the young man's football intelligence, arm, and devotion to the game.
"I think that he's gonna surprise a lot of people. Because his ability, I watched him make every throw, he has a lot of zip on his passes and he is very knowledgeable of the offense, he knows where everybody's at," Culpepper said. "I think he's gonna be a master, I think he's working his way to be a master, and just remember I said it first, he's gonna tear up the league."
Let's hope that Daunte Culpepper is right and J.J. McCarthy tears up the league during the 2025 NFL season.