The Minnesota Vikings are entering a new era of uncertainty by placing their future in the hands of a rookie quarterback on a first-year deal.
With Kirk Cousins out of the picture, the team has improved its roster through big-name free agent signings and recent draft picks.
Now, the spotlight turns to J.J. McCarthy. As analysts begin to break down Minnesota’s 2025 season, skepticism remains.
Bleacher Report’s Moe Moton projected the Vikings to miss the playoffs, finishing with an 8-9 record under McCarthy’s leadership.
“O’Connell has had success with veteran quarterbacks like Cousins and Darnold, but McCarthy hasn’t played a regular-season snap yet,” Moton wrote on May 14. “Besides his lack of experience, he also needs time to shake off rust and develop chemistry with his key offensive weapons.”
Moton continued: “While the Vikings have a solid supporting cast to ease McCarthy’s transition and a defense capable of keeping games close, the team is likely to decline with a rookie quarterback—more than most anticipate after last season’s 14-win performance. McCarthy also faces tough road matchups against strong NFC North defenses and teams like Pittsburgh, Seattle, and the Chargers—whose head coach, Jim Harbaugh, coached him in college and knows his weaknesses well.”
J.J. McCarthy, wearing No. 9 for the Minnesota Vikings, signals to the sideline during a game against the Las Vegas Raiders. The Vikings are embracing a new era by placing their trust in a rookie quarterback on a first-year contract, turning the page from the Kirk Cousins era.
After parting ways with Cousins, the team strengthened its roster through key free-agent signings and draft picks, setting the stage for McCarthy to take the reins. However, as analysts begin evaluating the Vikings’ 2025 schedule, not everyone is confident in the team’s prospects.
Moe Moton of *Bleacher Report* predicts Minnesota will miss the playoffs, forecasting an 8-9 finish with McCarthy under center. “While head coach Kevin O’Connell has found success with veteran quarterbacks like Cousins and Darnold, McCarthy lacks regular-season experience,” Moton noted on May 14. He also pointed out that McCarthy will need time to shake off rust and build chemistry with key offensive players.
Moton believes the Vikings have the roster to support a young quarterback and win close, low-scoring games thanks to their defense. However, he expects the team to take a step back with a rookie starter, especially compared to their recent 14-win season. He also noted the tough road games McCarthy will face, including matchups against strong defenses in the NFC North and teams like the Steelers, Seahawks, and Chargers. Notably, Chargers coach Jim Harbaugh—McCarthy’s former college coach—could exploit his former QB’s weaknesses.
Analyst Warren Sharp ranks Minnesota’s upcoming schedule as the fifth most difficult in the league, due to the strength of the NFC North and matchups against tough NFC East opponents such as the Eagles, Cowboys, Giants, and Commanders.
Still, not all experts are skeptical. NFL Network’s Bucky Brooks is optimistic about McCarthy’s rookie campaign, even suggesting he could outperform Sam Darnold, who made the Pro Bowl with Minnesota last season.
Brooks highlighted McCarthy’s size, athleticism, and arm strength, saying his mobility allows the Vikings to vary their offensive schemes with pocket passing and movement plays. His running ability could also make him a threat in short-yardage and red-zone situations.
While some label McCarthy as a “high-end game manager,” Brooks sees this as a compliment to his team-first mentality and winning track record, evidenced by his 27-1 record and national championship at Michigan. He argued that the Vikings have built a great situation for a rookie QB and believes McCarthy has what it takes to help the team make a serious playoff push.