If there is any first or second-year quarterback set up the best to be successful, it's Minnesota Vikings quarterback J.J. McCarthy.
Last year, McCarthy had the opportunity to avoid rushing out on the field and learn from Sam Darnold. Not by choice with his torn meniscus, but it probably worked out for the best to properly prepare to be the franchise quarterback.
Now that Darnold is out of the picture and rumored quarterbacks to join, like Aaron Rodgers and Kirk Cousins, aren't an option, the offense belongs to McCarthy. The talent is there for him to succeed so it's easy to assume he has as high of a ceiling as any young quarterback in the NFL this season.
PFF writer John Kosko analyzed each second-year quarterback and provided a comparison of their ceiling and floor to current NFL quarterbacks. McCarthy was tied to Joe Burrow as his ceiling and former teammate Darnold as the floor.
"McCarthy’s rookie season ended before it started, as he needed knee surgery to repair a torn meniscus. Whatever you thought about him heading into the 2024 season shouldn’t change for 2025 and the future.
Darnold’s career looked over until his incredible 2024 season with the Vikings. Assuming McCarthy is better than Darnold for his career isn’t a stretch, but nothing is ever a guarantee at quarterback."
J.J. McCarthy's ceiling and floor shows that success is in his future with the Minnesota Vikings
Being mentioned alongside Burrow and Darnold is not a bad thing at all for McCarthy. It only shows that he is in for a successful 2025 season.
What's helping McCarthy is the weapons he has on offense. Justin Jefferson and Jordan Addison are one of the best one-two punches in the NFL at receiver. Aaron Jones and Jordan Mason are going to make a formidable tandem in the backfield that should help improve the running game from last year. Tight ends T.J. Hockenson and Josh Oliver also give McCarthy a security blanket to throw to.
Outside of the playmakers, a good offensive line will also contribute to a good McCarthy season. Ryan Kelly, Will Fries, and rookie first-round pick Donovan Jackson bring in new blood to help the line. Christian Darrisaw returns from his knee injury with Brian O'Neill lining up on the other tackle position.
Kosko also mentioned that McCarthy hasn't been the type of quarterback to carry his previous teams, such as the Michigan Wolverines, but he has come up big at the most crucial moments. McCarthy was the third-best among the 2024 rookie quarterbacks when facing pressure and facing blitz behind Jayden Daniels and Bo Nix.
The Minnesota Vikings don't need McCarthy to be Superman in 2025, as he has all the weapons around him to be successful. As long as he doesn't turn the ball over, Minnesota should have another solid offensive showing.