The biggest concern surrounding the Minnesota Vikings for the 2025 NFL season is the quarterback position. While J.J. McCarthy is slated to be the team's starter, he has yet to take a regular season snap and spent last season on injured reserve.
Much of the drama surrounding the Vikings' quarterback situation involves McCarthy's health and recovery and his ability to lead the team over the course of a 17-game season. His knee injury may concern some experts and analysts, but Minnesota's young quarterback sounds like he will be ready for action.
Minnesota Vikings fans got good news about J.J. McCarthy
On Monday, Minnesota Vikings head coach Kevin O'Connell shared an update on McCarthy's status, and it sounds great. From the X post shared by Star Tribune's Ben Goessling, expectations are high for the team's first-round pick in 2024.
On Day 1 of the #Vikings’ offseason program, Kevin O’Connell said J.J. McCarthy is “ready to hit the ground running, starting today.” The second-year QB has “really been able to push it on the field,” both in the types of throws he’s made and the number of balls he’s thrown,… pic.twitter.com/Drwjto3kgh
— Ben Goessling (@BenGoessling) April 21, 2025
Seeing the words "ready" and "today" should get fans excited. Although Minnesota could still use an experienced backup as insurance for McCarthy, it sounds as though O'Connell is ready to get to work with his young quarterback.
Of course, the Vikings will continue to work with McCarthy and monitor his progress throughout offseason activities, training camp, and the preseason to be sure he is ready for action. However, the staff sounds pretty excited about where he currently is in his recovery.
At the moment, J.J. McCarthy and Brett Rypien are the only quarterbacks on Minnesota's roster. That situation isn't great, but it also isn't how the roster will look when the team heads into training camp and the preseason.
A lot can change during the 2025 NFL Draft or in free agency to add some depth behind McCarthy for insurance. Expect some kind of transaction to add a quarterback or two to the team before the team gathers in Eagan for training camp.
Keep in mind this doesn't rule out a change of heart. There is still a chance that the Minnesota Vikings could decide to hit pause on McCarthy as a starter and make a run at a deep playoff push by acquiring a new starter.
Although that is highly unlikely, the NFL is a strange business where anything can happen. And nobody knows how wild and unpredictable the league can be more than Minnesota Vikings fans, who have experienced every possible emotion from this franchise over the course of its existence.