J.J. McCarthy spent his entire rookie season watching from the sidelines, but that wait is almost over. The 22-year-old quarterback is set to take over as the Minnesota Vikings’ starter in 2025, and his top target couldn’t be more excited about what’s coming next.
With eight weeks until the 2025 regular season begins, what is Justin Jefferson saying about his new signal-caller?
What Does Vikings WR Justin Jefferson Expect From QB J.J. McCarthy’s First Season?
Selected 10th overall in the 2024 NFL Draft, McCarthy has been considered the Vikings’ quarterback of the future for more than a year. This September, he will finally get to prove himself in Minnesota, where expectations are high, including those of Justin Jefferson.
“I’m excited for J.J. [McCarthy]. I’m excited to see what he’s going to do for our team. I’m definitely expecting a lot from him,” Jefferson said in a promotional video for his football camp at IMG Academy.
#Vikings WR Justin Jefferson says it will be “exciting” to play with JJ McCarthy:
“I’m definitely expecting a lot from him. It’s definitely going to be exciting… He’s gonna do his thing.”
🎥: @IMGAcademy via IG pic.twitter.com/LWHPcUdHcl
— VikingzFanPage (@vikingzfanpage) July 12, 2025
The timing couldn’t be more crucial for Minnesota. In 2024-25, the Vikings were led by a breakout season from Sam Darnold and finished with a 14-3 record. That record matched the Philadelphia Eagles for the third-best in the NFL, firmly placing the Vikings in the Super Bowl conversation.
Now McCarthy’s job will be to sustain those hopes when he steps in under center. Jefferson believes he will live up to those expectations.
“It’s definitely going to be exciting, just being a leader of the team, being a captain of the team. Seeing him go through the injury process, and him, you know, just waiting patiently for his chance, he’s going to do his thing,” he added.
How Does McCarthy’s College Experience Compare to Other Young Quarterbacks?
McCarthy attempted 332 passes in his final year in college at Michigan. In comparison, 23-year-old Cam Ward, the first overall pick in the 2025 draft, attempted 454 passes for Miami last year. Michigan’s run-heavy scheme under Jim Harbaugh helped the team to a national title but limited McCarthy’s influence on the team.
Regardless, McCarthy demonstrated the poise and accuracy necessary to be an NFL quarterback, and he benefits from having Kevin O’Connell, one of the best offensive minds in the game, as his head coach.
O’Connell has also been optimistic about the quarterback and revealed earlier that he had become familiar with the system during his 2024-25 rehab.
The Vikings have many offensive weapons, including the league’s top receiving weapon in Jefferson. They will only need McCarthy to manage games efficiently, something he has proven more than capable of in the past.
Jefferson, meanwhile, isn’t looking to slow down and continues to put up numbers. He matched his career-high 10 touchdowns in 2024-25 with 1,533 receiving yards and will hope to develop a similar chemistry with McCarthy as he had with Darnold early in the season.
