In an offseason of much change, the Minnesota Vikings have been solely focused on making sure their young franchise quarterback, J.J. McCarthy, is set up for success.
McCarthy faced questions surrounding his readiness after the team flirted with Sam Darnold, Daniel Jones, and Aaron Rodgers. Now that he is taking over, he has said all the right things and looked the part of a starter.
He's got a ton of help around him with Justin Jefferson, Jordan Addison, Aaron Jones, and Jordan Mason at the skill positions. New additions on the offensive line with Ryan Kelly, Will Fries, and Donovan Jackson help solidify the offense.
With all the talent around McCarthy, it seems easy to assume that success will come with it. Does all of that come with added pressure, or is that an overreaction with three months left before the season starts?
Minnesota Vikings QB J.J. McCarthy suggested to be facing more pressure than Chicago Bears QB Caleb Williams in 2025
The summer debates began on ESPN's "Get Up", as a recent segment on the show had the panel debating as to who is facing more pressure: McCarthy or Chicago Bears quarterback Caleb Williams. ESPN NFL insider Peter Schrager believes McCarthy is facing more pressure because of the Vikings' potential to be exceptionally good.
"I think there is more pressure for J.J. McCarthy, the second-year quarterback in Minnesota. More pressure on him for success right away than there is on Caleb Williams, the former first overall pick in Chicago.
We're focusing so much on Caleb this offseason, and just, we're assuming everything is fine in Minnesota because O'Connell and Kwesi decided to put their faith in J.J. McCarthy, that we know that this team is going to be just as good as they were a year ago. Chicago has such an uphill climb. Minnesota, we expect them to be in the conversation."
ESPN NFL analyst Dan Orlovsky strongly disagreed, saying that McCarthy is playing in the "easiest place to go play quarterback." He feels that since McCarthy has more help, there is less pressure on him than on Williams.
Before McCarthy tore his meniscus, costing him the season, he played one preseason game where he threw for 188 yards and two touchdowns to one interception. The Vikings brass have stated that McCarthy wasn't going to start last year, regardless of his injury occurring.
Pressure might not be the correct term to use, as McCarthy's supporting cast will help him succeed. More expectations might be the direction to go as the Vikings have a better team than the Bears, so they should make a run for the playoffs.
McCarthy and Williams are not facing nearly as much pressure as the other NFC North quarterbacks, Detroit Lions' Jared Goff and Green Bay Packers' Jordan Love. Goff and Love have gotten their teams to the postseason two consecutive years without a Super Bowl trip, and their windows are closing.
That window is only opening for McCarthy as the Vikings have the talent to make a serious run at a Super Bowl for the next few years.