New Minnesota Vikings starting quarterback J.J. McCarthy is set up for potential success thanks to the weapons he has around him with receivers Justin Jefferson and Jordan Addison.
The Vikings' offense was heavily reliant on the pass game last year, ranking sixth with an average of 237.8 yards per game. Rejoining Jefferson and Addison on the offense include Jalen Nailor, Aaron Jones Sr., and T.J. Hockenson to put together one of the most impressive offensive skill players in the NFL.
Pro Football Focus writer Trevor Sikkema agrees that the receiving corps in Minnesota is one of the top ones, as he ranked them sixth against the rest of the NFL. Jefferson leads the way after performing well for the Vikings over the last five years.
"Minnesota claimed the fourth-highest team PFF receiving grade in 2024 (82.1). Justin Jefferson’s resume speaks for itself at this point; he has logged five straight seasons with 88.0-plus PFF receiving grades and 2.40 yards per route run. Jordan Addison, T.J. Hockenson and Aaron Jones all recorded PFF receiving grades above 70.0 in 2024, and the Vikings also added Tai Felton, Rondale Moore and Jordan Mason to the mix for 2025."
How good will the Minnesota Vikings pass catchers be for quarterback J.J. McCarthy in 2025?
There's no secret how good Jefferson is, as he is considered one of the best in football. His career-low is 1,074 in a season, and he had missed seven games in 2023, so he was on pace to lead the NFL if he were healthy. Jefferson currently owns the NFL record for highest average receiving yards per game at 96.5.
Addison has been on the doorstep of 1,000 yards in each of his first two seasons, as he finished second in receiving yards in 2023 and 2024. Where Addison has excelled is that he has scored 19 touchdowns in his first two seasons, which is two more than Jefferson had in his first two years in the NFL.
The third option in the passing game will be between Hockenson, Nailor, Felton, and Moore. Nailor is on a contract season, so he will be going all out to either get re-signed by the Vikings or land a bigger contract elsewhere. Felton gives the Vikings insurance in case Nailor folds in 2025 or leaves for free agency next offseason.
Hockenson needs to stay healthy and return to being third in receiving yards. Josh Oliver's new contract extension through 2028 adds an interesting element at tight end.
Jones will most likely play a bigger factor in the passing game with more running back screens to help McCarthy out early in the season. Last year was Jones' second-best receiving season, as he caught 51 passes for 408 yards and two touchdowns.
There's a ton of talent on the Vikings' offense, as McCarthy should have a stellar first season leading the offense. The feeling is that there are no excuses for not finding early success with Jefferson and Addison to throw it to.