The quarterback debate that captured national headlines at the end of the 2024 NFL regular season now feels like a distant memory.
While some deemed it crazy for the Minnesota Vikings to ditch Pro Bowler Sam Darnold fresh off a 14-3 season, the allure of J.J. McCarthy was impossible to ignore. The Vikings’ faith in their 22-year-old QB was justified this offseason, after McCarthy proved he was healthy and highly capable of leading the team throughout OTAs and training camp.
The focus has now shifted to Monday night’s season opener against the Chicago Bears, when McCarthy will make his first NFL start against Caleb Williams, the player selected No. 1 overall in his same 2024 draft class. Vikings fans will be hoping to see the same unflappable quarterback who led Michigan to the 2023 national title.
There’s also a weird contingent of McCarthy doubters out there, leaving Minnesota’s QB with plenty to prove entering Monday’s debut.
Minnesota Vikings QB J.J. McCarthy slighted in recent Week 1 power rankings
At this point, Vikings fans can only lean on blind faith. McCarthy won’t be viewed as an upper-tier NFL quarterback until he gets some games under his belt.
CBS Sports' Cody Benjamin recently dropped his QB power rankings entering Week 1 of the regular season, and he listed McCarthy at No. 23 — notably one spot behind Williams, two spots behind Aaron Rodgers, and four spots behind Darnold.
“One of the NFL's most happy-go-lucky newcomers, McCarthy has a rich opportunity with top-shelf playmakers and coaches at his disposal. He's got a history of situational grit. He's still a total projection.”
Landing in a tier with Justin Fields, Kyler Murray, and rookie Cam Ward is far from flattering, but it’s the reality for McCarthy coming off last summer’s meniscus injury.
While it may be triggering for Vikings fans to see their young QB ranked so far behind Darnold, give the man his flowers; Darnold deserves some love for his monster 2024 season that nobody saw coming.
The bigger gripe here should be Rodgers, who’s almost double the age of McCarthy and enters 2025 as an uninspiring starter for the Pittsburgh Steelers (to put it lightly).
We didn’t see much of McCarthy during the preseason, so coach Kevin O’Connell and the Vikings will be looking to take advantage of the unknown.
The QB is set up for early success, working behind a revamped offensive line and with what should be a dynamic rushing attack powered by backs Aaron Jones and Jordan Mason.
If he can manage the offense, avoid costly turnovers, and get the football to Justin Jefferson, McCarthy should begin climbing up QB rankings like this in short order. But to Benjamin's point, we have to see it first.