This time last year, the Minnesota Vikings had a genuine air of excitement around the franchise. After years of chasing a championship with Kirk Cousins, the franchise pivoted, setting the stage for rookie J.J. McCarthy to eventually take over the offense. Unfortunately, things didn’t work out as the Vikings had anticipated, with McCarthy spending the entire season on the sideline due to a torn meniscus in his right knee.
It led to a career renaissance for Sam Darnold. However, for head coach Kevin O’Connell, the vision with McCarthy at the helm was still the right direction, even after Darnold led them to a 14-win season. But after his injury suffered in preseason last year, will Minnesota exercise some caution about sending the Michigan product out on the field again this year?
Will J.J. McCarthy Suit Up Against the Houston Texans?
Arriving in Michigan in 2021, McCarthy thrived with the Wolverines. Winning a Big Ten Quarterback of the Year Award, he led them to the College Football Playoffs National Championship in 2023.
He’d done enough to impress O’Connell and the Vikings, who selected him 10th overall in the 2024 NFL Draft. Even though his year was cut short by injuries, his short stint in preseason offered fans a glimpse of the potential the youngster had.
In his lone preseason game, McCarthy tallied 188 yards and two touchdowns, while completing 11 of 17 pass attempts against the Las Vegas Raiders. This year, even with the ghosts of the lingering past, O’Connell isn’t treating the youngster with kid gloves.
Instead, McCarthy will be suiting up against the Houston Texans. Speaking to ESPN, the coach made it clear that he wasn’t sure about the exact length of time he’d spend on the field. But he did confirm that it was likely going to be his only action in the preseason.
“You’d love to play him as much as possible,” O’Connell said, “but I think with those two days of joint practice, and the type of reps that the other guys on the offense will get from a physicality and workload standpoint, we’ll more than likely use those two days as our real days.”
J.J. McCarthy’s preseason debut accompanied by some Jettas commentary 🤝 pic.twitter.com/OpgMjSZrAB
— NFL (@NFL) August 6, 2025
However, the rule wasn’t rigid. If the team wanted to experiment some more, then his depth chart for Week 2 of the preseason could see some changes.
But for the time being, it seems like the game against the Texans is going to be the only glimpse the Vikings faithful are going to get of their potential franchise quarterback until the season officially gets underway.
